The Cuban bacteria Basilus Turengansis
Israelensis (BTI) that destroys mosquito larva is to be
introduced in Sri Lanka shortly. The BTI will be
introduced in view of controlling the deadly dengue
mosquito, Deputy Director General, Ministry of Health
Dr. Palitha Mahipala told The Sunday Leader.
Apart from controlling the dengue menace
that has recoded 223 deaths up to date in 2009 and
20,520 reported cases, Dr. Mahipala said that the same
bacteria would be used to control all other mosquito
borne diseases in the country.
"The two visiting Cuban doctors will
conduct a thorough study in the Hambantota district and
then proceeded to Kandy for further research. They will
then conduct the required studies in Colombo, before
giving their recommendations to the Health Ministry to
introduce the bacteria to control the dengue mosquito
larva," Dr. Mahipala said.
He added that although the BTI could
eliminate the dengue mosquito larva, the Health Ministry
would not use the bacteria all over the country, but
only in places where the health officials would find
difficult to destroy the breeding sites. "It is the sole
responsibility of each individual to keep their
environment free from mosquito breeding sites. The BTI
bacteria would be used only as a supplementary method to
eradicate the menace," added Dr. Mahipala.
According to Dr. Mahipala, once the
general public destroy the breeding sites in their
environment, the task of eradicating the mosquito menace
in public places could be easily done with the BTI
bacteria.
When asked whether the Cuban bacteria
would suit the Sri Lankan weather conditions, Dr.
Mahipala said that it was clinically proved that the
bacteria are 100% suitable for the local condition.
"Since this is a biological method of
control it is not harmful to human beings and using this
bacteria in any part of the country would not affect its
vegetation," added Dr. Mahipala.
According to him, eradicating mosquito
borne diseases is not the sole responsibility of the
Health Ministry, but the duty of the local authorities,
the Environment Ministry and the Education Ministry.
"Since such deadly diseases are
considered to be environment diseases the Health
Ministry alone cannot prevent any major outbreaks. It is
the responsibility of the local authorities, the
Environment Ministry and the Education Ministry to help
the medical authorities to combat this menace. The local
authorities should introduce proper solid waste disposal
methods. The Environment Ministry has to introduce
certain guidelines to eliminate mosquito breeding places
and the Education Ministry should hold awareness
programmes to create awareness among children. Although
this is a collective duty still it is the Health
Ministry that has to take the responsibility," added Dr.
Mahipala
.
