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Dengue control ongoing despite chemical shortage

23 Sep 2022

  • Shortage of malathion insecticide for fumigation, past wastage noted
BY Buddhika Samaraweera   The National Dengue Control Unit (NDCU) of the Ministry of Health stated that even though there is currently a shortage of chemicals such as malathion (an insecticide used to control mosquitoes) used for fumigation in order to control dengue mosquitoes, it has however not hindered dengue control activities. Speaking to The Morning, NDCU Head Dr. Sudath Samaraweera said: “There is currently a shortage of chemicals such as malathion for fumigation, which is one method of controlling dengue mosquitoes. However, there is sufficient malathion for the current dengue control activities, so fumigation activities have not been hampered.” He said that in the past, these chemicals have been used unnecessarily, adding however that they are now being used only when scientifically necessary. He also said that due to the dry weather in many parts of the country, dengue mosquito breeding has decreased to a certain extent. "Fumigation either kills or knocks out the flying adult mosquitoes. It is a very temporary method and does not greatly control the breeding of mosquitoes. The most important thing is to destroy the places where mosquitoes breed. Therefore, while scientifically using methods like fumigation, more attention should be paid to destroying the places where mosquitoes breed," said Dr. Samaraweera. According to the Epidemiology Unit of the Health Ministry, a total of 46,582 dengue patients have been reported from January to date. The highest number of patients is 9,813 from the Colombo District, while the second highest number of patients is 6,153 from the Gampaha District. In addition, 4,124 patients have been reported from the Kandy District, 3,120 from the Kalutara District, 3,021 from the Galle District, 2,590 from the Jaffna District, 2,431 from the Ratnapura District, 2,341 from the Kegalle District, and 2,216 from the Kurunegala District. Less than 2,000 patients have been reported from the other districts. Meanwhile, claiming that some dengue patients were reported to be staying at home, believing that there is a shortage of drugs in hospitals, the Health Ministry recently stated that it was an unacceptable move. Health Ministry Communications Director Dr. Hemantha Herath said at the time that any patient who was recommended by a qualified doctor to be admitted to a hospital should follow the relevant medical instructions as dengue patients in particular receive more care in hospitals aside from the administration of drugs.  


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