Dengue amidst Chikungunya

With Chikungunya being the focus of attention, the dangers from the deadly dengue appear to have been forgotten, but dengue cases are also on the increase in the country, health authorities have warned.

Last year 5,800 dengue cases were reported but by now there are around 11,500 cases, which is a huge increase. The National Epidemiology Unit declared this year to be a high-risk year. The Colombo Municipal Council Public Health Department reported 770 dengue cases last year, but by now 1,450 cases have been reported within the city limits.

Meanwhile, The Sunday Times learns that the Chikungunya virus is spreading fast in the Jaffna peninsula, the Central and Eastern provinces and in Colombo district. Akurana in Kandy district and Kalmunai in Ampara district reported the highest number of patients. However, the question whether Chikungunya is transmitted only through the dengue mosquito Aedes Aegypti still remains unanswered as the virus is being reported in different parts of the country where different varieties of mosquitoes breed.

“We cannot say definitely without any scientific evidence from medical experts. It requires a number of tests to take a decision,” Health Ministry Epidemiology Unit Deputy Director Dr. Pabha Palihawadane said.

During rainy seasons low-lying areas get filled with water and due to poor drainage they become swamps and marshes. The culex and mansonia mosquitoes breed in such waters and most probably they also play a role in transmitting this disease in Colombo.

At present the majority of the Chikungunya patients are reported from the northern parts of Colombo, mainly from areas bordering marshes, swamps or bogs. Dr. Palihawadane said that recently many infected cases were reported in Kurunegala, Matale and Kandy recently.