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Dengue situation: Approx.18,000 suspected cases reported  

28 Aug 2021

  • Majority 39%, from WP; Colombo worst hit  
  • 10 fatalities as of July 
  • Covid-19 partially blamed for reporting decline 
 BY Yumiko Perera  A total of 17,921 suspected cases of dengue have been reported across the island over the course of this year, and approximately 39.1% of dengue cases have been reported from the Western Province, The Sunday Morning learnt.  Speaking with The Sunday Morning, National Dengue Control Unit (NDCU) Community Physician and Specialist Dr. Himali Herath said that even though there has been a slight reduction in the number of dengue patients being reported, the public should not take their foot off the pedal in terms of taking precautionary measures.  "A total of 1,161 patients have been reported during August, and the number of dengue-positive patients that were reported in July was 3,292 cases. Although there is a reduction, with the current Covid-19 situation prevalent in the country, several reasons may have contributed towards the decline in the number of patients being reported," she noted.  While the risk of dengue exists all across the country and transmission occurs all year round, October to December and May to July are the two peak seasons.   "With the monsoonal rains, we have one peak, which is what we are witnessing at present; and then again towards the end of December. While we may have reached our peak, and there is a slight reduction in the numbers, the decline is not that significant, which is why I don't believe that we can afford to let our guard down," Dr. Herath added.  According to the statistics of the Epidemiology Unit, as of 31 July, 10 dengue-related fatalities have also occurred, The Sunday Morning learnt.  Further noting that prevention is indeed better than cure, Dr. Herath elaborated that the Colombo District is the worst affected, and that therefore, high-risk medical officer of health (MOH) areas are being monitored closely. Hence, she urged the public to take necessary precautions to ensure that possible mosquito breeding sites are destroyed. 


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