Dengue outbreak concern in Sri Lankan capital
09/06/2010
There are health fears in the Sri Lankan capital city as officials are attempting to avert a possible dengue outbreak.
Health workers have been stepping up their preparations for such a situation in Colombo, Irin News reports.
The Ministry of Health's Epidemiology Unit have released figures that reveal 1,806 dengue cases were reported in the city in May, which resulted in nine people losing their lives.
Chief medical officer for the Colombo Municipal Council Pradeep Kariyawasam told the news provider: "We are taking this situation seriously."
City workers are inspecting schools and homes to make sure they are not possible breeding grounds for the vector-borne disease and are trying to raise awareness among residents, the council figure added.
Heavy monsoon rainfall for four consecutive days recently caused landslides and flash floods in a number of Sri Lankan regions, including Colombo, Gampaha and Kalutara, affecting more than 200,000 people who lived there.
Written by Simon Bassett
