Health Ministry considers non-toxic chlorophyllin for dengue control

Thursday, 23 January 2020 02:08 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Epidemiology Unit records 4,432 dengue cases for Jan, 715 reported from Colombo

The Health and Indigenous Medicine Ministry is considering using a non-toxic and sustainable chlorophyll product to control dengue mosquitoes in the country.

This measure was being considered following discussions with German specialist Prof. Donat Peter Häder.

While studies will be conducted to ensure the substance can be used successfully in Sri Lanka, Prof. Häder has shown that even a small quantity of chlorophyllin, a semi-synthetic derivative of chlorophyll, can be used to destroy a large amount of mosquito larvae.

In addition to this, chlorophyll can be extracted from plants easily found in Sri Lanka, for instance, grass and banana, and the substance can be manufactured locally for a low price, in comparison to the cost of importing the toxic chemicals currently used to destroy dengue mosquito larvae.

These chemicals can also pose a risk to children and animals as well as various microorganisms found in the environment, Prof. Häder revealed during the discussion, emphasising that chlorophyllin is a non-toxic substance that will cause no harm to humans or the environment.

Prof. Häder will be working with the National Dengue Control Unit and the Medical Research Institute Sri Lanka to develop this non-toxic and sustainable method of destroying mosquito larvae. The Ministry’s Epidemiology Unit has recorded a total of 4,432 dengue cases so far this month. Of these, 715 were reported from Colombo, 573 from Jaffna and 499 from Trincomalee.