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Dengue may reach high epidemic status: Authorities

26 Jul 2022

BY Buddhika Samaraweera Noting that nearly 9,000 suspected dengue cases have been detected in the first three weeks of July, the National Dengue Control Unit (NDCU) under the Health Ministry has warned that the dengue situation in the country is likely to become a high epidemic in the future. Speaking to the media, NDCU Director Dr. Sudath Samaraweera said: “Nearly 9,000 suspected dengue cases have been found in the first three weeks of July. There is a risk of the further development of this situation in the future and there is also a possibility of the dengue disease developing into a high epidemic situation.” He further said that it is important that private and Government institutions, factories, construction sites, schools, and places of worship take action to identify and destroy the places, both inside and outside such premises, where dengue mosquitoes can breed. He said that the heads of such institutions should take steps to obtain the support of staff members to prevent dengue mosquitoes from breeding at their premises. Meanwhile, Dr. Samaraweera said that the health authorities had declared yesterday (25) as a special Dengue Control Day with the aim of controlling the spread of dengue and preventing it from becoming a high epidemic situation. He said that the programme was implemented with the support of many public and private institutions. According to the Epidemiology Unit of the Health Ministry, a total of 31,777 dengue patients have been reported from January to July this year. The highest number of patients is 6,872 from the Colombo District, while the second highest number of patients is 3,720 from the Gampaha District.  In addition, 2,327 patients have been reported from the Kandy District, 2,239 from the Jaffna District, 2,189 from the Galle District, 2,159 from the Kalutara District, 1,675 from the Kurunegala District, 1,464 from the Kegalle District, 1,372 from the Ampara District, and 1,181 from the Puttalam District. Less than 1,000 patients have been reported from the other Districts. Meanwhile, the Ministry of Health has recently stated that due to the increase in the number of dengue patients island-wide, priority is being given to treat dengue patients despite the current issues in hospitals such as the shortage of drugs. Last month, the Health Ministry's Communications Director Public Health Services Deputy Director General and Disaster Preparedness and Response Division Head Dr. Hemantha Herath said: “The number of dengue patients is increasing every year at this time of the year. Likewise, dengue cases have increased this year as well. Despite the shortcomings in hospitals these days, such as drug shortages, priority is being given to treating dengue patients.” He also said that some dengue patients were reported to be staying at home, claiming that there is a shortage of drugs in hospitals. He emphasised that it is an unacceptable move. He explained that any patient who is recommended by a qualified doctor to be admitted to a hospital should follow the relevant medical instructions as dengue patients in particular receive more care in hospitals in addition to the administration of drugs.


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