The number of dengue deaths reached a total of 225 from the beginning of the year. The number of dengue patients has reached 20,300 from January 1 to August 3. However, the situation is under control as the dengue curve is now on the decline.

The spokesman for the Health Ministry said yesterday (04) that massive mosquito eradication campaigns carried by the Health Ministry in collaboration with the Dengue Control Programme, the Civil Defense Committee, MOH offices and local governments had paid off. The highest number of dengue cases was reported in June and that was 6,000.

But now dengue is on the decrease, he said. Except for Kilinochchi and Mulaitivu, all other parts of the country have been affected by dengue, he said. The Health Ministry hopes that Bti bacteria would help in controlling the situation even further.

At present experiments and analysis is being carried out in Kandy with the MOH offices, local governments and the public. "We have to see how acceptable the Bti would be to people. It does not have a very pleasant smell after all," he added.

The spokesman for the Health Ministry said yesterday (04) that the bacteria was being experimented upon in Kandy and that it would only be used if the results were effective.