Dengue Eradication Programme

STC CENTENARY GROUP SPONSORS DENGUE ERADICATION PROGRAMME AT THE COLLEGE CAMPUS

Dengue is the deadliest mosquito borne viral disease in the world. In many South East Asian Countries, dengue hemorrhagic fever is the leading cause of hospitalization and death, among children. In Sri Lanka, according to published statistics, over 25,000 have been affected by dengue in the first 8mmonths of this year and the total number of deaths has risen to 83, with the Western Province recording the highest number of deaths. The peak incidence occurs after the monsoon season, when the density of the mosquito carrier species, is at its highest.

The wide variety of plants and trees, and the large extent of land at S. Thomas’ College, makes it conducive for mosquitoes to breed. S. Thomas’ College has a student population of 2,500 and a teaching fraternity of 150. In addition, the non academic staff members and other stakeholders who visit the premises on a daily basis, are at a risk of being affected by this deadly virus.

The STC Centenary Group, a group of Thomians who were in the college in 1951, the centenary year of S. Thomas’ College, initiated a dengue eradication programme at the college campus, on 1^st September 2012, to coincide with the commencement of the Third Academic Term, to create an environment, free of unwanted pests and disease spreading organisms.

The President of the Centenary Group, Winston Abeynaike, being a Director of Suren Cooke Agencies (Pvt) Ltd, a professional pest control organization, engaged their services, for this project.

Suren Cooke Agencies, who are suppliers of insecticides and equipment to the Ministry of Health, Dengue control Unit, WHO and other non government organizations, have undertaken similar projects in other leading schools in Colombo and the suburbs.

To achieve effective and sustainable control and to reduce the density of the adult mosquitoes, thermal fogging, ULV spraying and the application of a larvicide to all infested areas, was undertaken, during this treatment.

The members of the Executive Committee of the Centenary Group supervised the entire operation, which commenced at 7.30 a.m. and ended by 12 noon.

The project was successfully completed and was appreciated by old boys and parents, who visited the campus.