The number of dengue cases rose by three hundred as the Health Ministry in collaboration with the Colombo Municipal Council and the Public Service Nurses’ Union launched house to house inspections over the weekend. The numbers which was around 4,600 had reached 4,900- fast reaching epidemic stage.

A spokesman for the Health Ministry said yesterday (18) the three institutions which had united to battle dengue in the city would continue the programme. From June strict action would be taken against those who breach the ‘Mosquito breeding and Control Act,’ passed almost two weeks ago.

The Health Ministry is prepared to take action against any one who allows mosquito breeding places in their homes and surroundings. However, a prior warning would be issued a week before during which time the owners should have their premises cleaned, he said.

The number of deaths due to dengue since January is 68.

Schools in the Southern Province last week reported poor attendance as parents feared to send their children to school. The spokesman said there was no point in taking such precautions as the mosquito breeding grounds were found largely in and around their homes, he said. However that a team of officials from the Dengue Control Programme had visited schools in the Tangalle district last week and found that parents had carried out a ‘shramadana,’ to clean school environments of possible mosquito breading grounds, he stated.

Meanwhile, Chief Minister Southern Province, Shan Wijelal de Silva called on the Southern Province Education Ministry to take precautionary measures to prevent a dengue epidemic in the Southern Province – the main target would be schools in the Province.

Southern Province Director of Health Services, Dr. J. B. Senarath said the red alert areas identified by the Southern Province Health Ministry are Boossa, Gintota and Wakwella. The Education Ministry has called for assistance from the Health Ministry of the Southern Province for assistance, he said. There are plans to deploy around hundred minor staffers from Government Hospitals during duty hours to clean school premises. The Southern Province Health Ministry has spent Rs. two million on mosquito chemicals to destroy mosquito breeding grounds.