Debe councillor: Who to fine for stagnant public drains?

A councillor of the Penal/Debe Regional Corporation (PDRC) has asked who will be fined for stagnant water in public drains, which could contribute to the spread of dengue.

La Fortune/ Debe North councillor Krishna Persadsingh asked this in relation to the hospitalisation of Shiva Gangaram with dengue, at a news conference at the PDRC's office in Debe on Thursday.

Gangaram is an actor, dancer and director of the Gangaram Family Drama Group of Debe.

Persadsingh recalled that Health Minister Terrence Deyalsingh has publicly said the
Aedes aegypti mosquito, which transmits the dengue virus, breeds in clean, clear stagnant water and not murky stagnant water.

He also recalled that Deyalsingh recently said as part of the Health Ministry's efforts to curb the spread of dengue, people could be fined $3,500 if potential breeding sites for mosquitoes are found on their premises.

Persadsingh said one of Gangaram's relatives identified the breeding ground for the mosquitoes that caused his dengue as public drains.

"Who will be fined for the drainage?"

Persadsingh said the drains Gangaram's relative referred to flow into the Gucharoon River via Debe Trace.

He added that this point is choked, and the PDRC wrote to the Works and Transport Ministry on May 16, requesting assistance to clear it.

Siparia Mayor Doodnath Mayhroo, who also attended the news conference, was sceptical about Deyalsingh's comments about the breeding locations for the Aedes aegypti mosquito.

He claimed to have been told by a medical expert that if the mosquito cannot find clear, stagnant water to breed in, it will find the next available water source to do so.