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by Fathima Razik Cader

"Community mobilisation the most effective way" says Dr. Pradeep Kariyawasam The Public Health Department of the Colombo Municipal Council in collaboration with the Rotary Clubs of Sri Lanka and the Sri Lanka Scouts Association has once again planned an effective multi-pronged "attack" to combat the re-emergence of the aedes mosquito - the mosquito whose sting can bring on the deadly Dengue virus.

Rtn. Governor N. Pathmanathan, Rtn. Chris Rajendra, Chairman, Anti-Dengue Campaign, Rohan Weerasekera, District Commissioner and Nihal de Silva, Assistant District Commissioner, Administration are part of the core group working in tandem with the officials of the PHD on the Dengue Prevention Campaign. Around one thousand Scouts are expected to participate in this exercise.

Sunday 11 and Sunday 25 May, 2003 are the dates set to conduct house to house campaign in the city. The first phase covers Colombo East and Colombo West. Residents can expect a visit from the officials of the PHD and the Health Services of the CMC and the volunteers from the Rotarians and the Scouts on Sunday 11th May when their residences and surrounding areas will come under inspection. The second phase scheduled for 25th May will cover Borella, Cinnamon Gardens, Colombo Central and Colombo North. As in the past, residents will have to confirm to stipulated criteria to receive a 'Green Star' sticker.

Most parts of Sri Lanka have experienced rainy weather in the past few weeks. However, with the South West monsoon expected around the second half of May, the officials of the PHD have this time, thought it best that residents of Colombo are alerted to the dreadful onset of dengue well ahead of time.

"We have done our best always but until and unless we have the co-operation of the residents, our efforts alone cannot be effective enough to control an outbreak of dengue," emphasises Dr. Pradeep Kariyawasam, Chief Medical Officer of Health. "Already fifteen cases have been reported during the latter part of April from Bambalapitiya, Wellawatte, Kirulapone and Narahenpita," added Dr. Kariyawasam.

In the past, action to combat the virus has always been taken after the outbreak of the disease. This year appropriate and timely steps are being taken early to prevent a major outbreak. Health officials, whilst conceding that one cannot expect to eliminate the aedes mosquito completely, are of the view that one can at least, to a very great extent contain it and thereby reduce the number of cases. An awareness campaign (through leaflets), wide media publicity and community mobilisation are on the cards.

Leaflets will be distributed to all households and the residents in turn, should get down to keeping their premises free from debris, garbage, any containers - big or small that can collect water as all these encourage the aedes mosquito to breed freely.

Interestingly, overhead water tanks (unless completely sealed), cisterns (if kept open or if covers have cracks) and trays under the freezers of refrigerators are also high breeding grounds. If all these avenues for breeding are taken care of, then undoubtedly one's home is safe from this deadly mosquito. On the other hand, if one's neighbour is not careful, then however much one does to keep the home, garden and surrounding area clean, is of no use because the mosquito can breed next door and can fly over to give you that deadly sting. Additionally, grass should not be allowed to grow wildly and hedges too must be trimmed to prevent breeding.

Generally, mosquitoes can fly long distances - kilometers in fact. But the aedes mosquito travels only around 50 - 300 meters. As a result, it is extremely important that communities co-operate with each other so as to ensure that they are protected from being stung by the dengue mosquito. Bare land or neglected gardens on which trees, shrubs and grass grow are also ideal breeding grounds. If such an area is not maintained by the owner, neighbours or residents from the vicinity can inform the Public Health Department of the CMC on telephone number 696594 during working hours and officials will take prompt action to ensure that such areas will be cleaned.

Action is being continuously taken against offenders and notice is issued to clean the area within seven days. Many offenders have also been taken to courts under the 'Mosquito Borne Diseases Regulations' which involves a fine of Rs. one thousand and/or six months imprisonment. Offenders repeatedly found guilty are also taken to ask. "In such instances, your neighbour should be considered as a public enemy," says Dr. Kariyawasam. It is the indifference and the insensitive attitude of some people that causes so much harm to others, is the view of many a person involved in this daunting task of carrying out the Dengue Prevention Campaign.

The teams (around 350-400) comprising one official each from the CMC and the Rotary, the two Scouts, will visit homes in areas allotted to them, distribute leaflets and check on the houses and surrounding areas.

Residents will then be issued with a notice and a "Green Star" sticker. These indicate that such homes have conformed to the laid down criteria which will prevent mosquitoes breeding. Homes that do not quality will have to ensure that they conform with the stipulated criteria within a given time frame.

Year 2002 recorded a 20% reduction in reported cases as against the year 2001, when this campaign was launched in collaboration with the Rotarians and the Scouts. The PHD of the CMC expects a further 20% reduction in the number of cases this year. Residents living in apartments and densely populated areas are more prone to dengue than others.

They therefore have to make sure that their homes do not have any containers or receptacles in which water can collect as these mosquitoes need only little clean water to breed.

This campaign will not cover business and commercial buildings or premises as emphasis is laid on the home and the environment. No doubt, residents who go to work, can by extension, adopt similar preventive measures in their offices. Of concern to the CMC is the fact that the suburbs and borders of Colombo are not as geared to combat this dreadful virus. The onus is therefore on the local authorities of these cities and towns to take equally appropriate measures and steps to combat the aedes mosquitoes.

As reported in the 'Integrated Mosquito Control Programme' (featured in the DN on 21st, January), mosquitoes no know borders and can effortlessly fly from Dehiwela to Wellawatte or from Borella to Rajagiriya and residents will be none the wiser as to where the mosquitoes come from.

This article is not confined to readers in the city of Colombo only - this newspaper reaches every town in the country and it might be prudent for readers, wherever they reside, to be alert to the dangers of this dreadful and deadly virus and ensure that they and their neighbours have clean homes, gardens and surrounding areas so that the aedes mosquito will not be able to breed and proliferate.

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