Govt. to bring BTI bacteria to control dengue: Dr. Jayatissa

3 December 2024 11:02 pm Views - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}} 8 Bookmark

CHATURANGA PRADEEP SAMARAWICKRAMA Follow

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Colombo, December 3 (Daily Mirror) - The government is in discussions with the Cuban government to launch a sustainable programme aimed at eradicating the dengue menace from the country.

Addressing the media, Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa stated that the dengue eradication programme with Cuba has been a subject of discussion and debate for a long time.

A dengue eradication initiative will be launched by the Health Ministry as soon as the water levels have fully subsided.

The government is planning to import BTI bacteria samples from Cuba to help control the dengue mosquito larvae.

Dr. Jayatissa explained that while using BTI bacteria cannot completely eradicate the dengue problem, it is an effective method for controlling it. He also mentioned that the government is working to secure the BTI bacteria as a donation from Cuba.

Comments - 8

Smh Wednesday, 04 December 2024 12:04 AM

Bringing communist bacteria is not going to help in the long run. What if the bacteria ends up causing some new disease? Best is to teach citizens to keep the place clean and enforce strict standards like they used to do. The government should do its part to maintain cleanliness too as public areas are filthy outside of Colombo's affluent areas. There is no easy way out. Everyone has to get their hands dirty to successfully eradicate this menace.

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Aussie Wednesday, 04 December 2024 02:47 AM

Have you done a Risk Assessment? What are the unwanted effects?

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Lessons learnt Wednesday, 04 December 2024 02:54 AM

Australia introduced Cane toads to control Beatles in sugar plantation well over 100 years ago , now has become a major problem in controlling Cane toads. Risk assessment is imperative before introducing any such bacteria

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Rana Wednesday, 04 December 2024 03:33 AM

Asking for donations from bankrupt cuba is not a good idea... better to pay a reasonable amount and secure a good quality BTI with technical support...

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Ram P Wednesday, 04 December 2024 04:44 AM

The difference now and then is now negotiating to get it as a gift and then it was negotiations about Commission.

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Arthur Padmasiri Wednesday, 04 December 2024 05:50 AM

Eradication means the permanent reduction of the infection to zero worldwide. Better to say control or elimination. Sri Lanka is a bit more developed than Cuba and should not be considered comparable. Also, why get advice from Cuba when there are WHO and other expert agencies? Cuba had a large dengue outbreak even recently. BTI alone has not worked anywhere in the world. It has to be an integrated strategy, including sterile insect technology, Wolbachia technique and dengue vaccination.

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Abd Wednesday, 04 December 2024 10:33 AM

Week ago I passed Panadura town early in the morning and surprised to see, how garbage dumped everywhere,dirty ,unhygienic and eyesore, I would like to Dr Jayatissa, start cleaning up around the island,starting from your constituency , please take this as friendly criticism

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Viktor Wednesday, 04 December 2024 11:02 AM

ITI found our own BTI and persuaded an industrialist to produce itblarge scale to supply the local market, but the local mafia prevented it being marketed except through the corruption ridden Health Department and the venture collapsed.

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