Public at risk By Chrishanthi Christopher--2013-04-05  The alarming spread of typhoid among food handlers working at eateries and restaurants in Colombo and its suburbs has become a major health hazard to the public. According to Colombo Municipal Council (CMC) statistics, in the last quarter alone, 377 cases of typhoid and paratyphoid enteric fever were reported. CMC Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Pradeep Kariyawasam said, for every five kitchen staff tested for typhoid, one person is reported to have had the disease. The CMC is conducting random tests on food handling staff in the Colombo eateries and restaurants, in an effort to provide clean food to the Colombo populace. It is believed that many of the staff in the hotels have been infected with the water-borne disease and have not been properly treated with a course of antibiotics. Dr. Kariyawasam said many personnel, who were tested positive, were requested to keep away from work. “Only seven people, who had typhoid had reported to the National Hospital. Others have received treatment from various other general practitioners, but that is inadequate treatment,” he explained. Dr. Kariyawasam also said general practitioners are supposed to report any personnel in the food industry having contracted communicable diseases, but that is not being practised. Besides typhoid test conducted, the CMC also tested food handlers for hepatitis, staphylococcus, tuberculosis and other sexually transmitted diseases. Dr. Kariyawasam said Staphylococcus Aureus infection, which was prevalent among food handlers last year, has come down by 60% in the last three months. “There were only 16 people having the disease, but there are many carriers,” he said. The CMC is doing an active surveillance and checking on staff members, who have been sick in the recent past. “We are treating the sick and observing them,” Dr. Kariyawasam said.  With regard to water-borne hepatitis A, which is also a major cause for concern, the CMC is conducting blood tests on all kitchen staff and vaccinating those who have not had the disease yet. “Those who already suffered from the disease have developed immunity, which is quite natural,” he said. Dr. Kariyawasm said the CMC is sending its public health inspectors to all the hotels in Colombo. Some 300 eateries and restaurants have already been checked in the last three months. “The medical tests are conducted in parallel with the licensing and grading of eating places,” he said. The CMC hopes to conduct medical tests on another 200 eating places before the end of this year.

Army grabs 49 acres of land - TNA step on to court [ Friday, 05 April 2013, 09:11.57 AM GMT +05:30 ] Chairman of the Waligamam South Division Secretary A.Janabesan blamed military personals have grabbed 49 acres of land in the Pandatharippu, Kadappulam area in order to build up military camp at the site. The Ministry of Urban Development approved to construct military camp in this land, military sources said. Divisional Secretariat refused to hand over this land to the military personals. Chairman said Tamil National Alliance will file case against the military personals.