News
Thousands more afflicted by dengue; nationwide initiative begins today
View(s):By Nathara Abeywickrema
To combat dengue fever, nationwide programmes involving security forces and health officials will begin today, starting from the Nugegoda Medical Officer of Health (MOH) area.
The National Dengue Control Unit’s Consultant Community Physician, Dr. Nimalka Pannila Hetti, said that in the first five days of January alone, 1,085 dengue patients have been recorded throughout the country.
The highest total is in the Western Province, accounting for the majority of all cases across the country at 450 (41.5%).
She pointed out that the absence of proper prevention measures had allowed the spread of the dengue-carrying Aedes aegypti mosquito across a wider range of Colombo Municipal Council (CMC) areas in Colombo District, accounting for 214 (19.7%). Besides, 153 (14.1%) dengue cases were reported from Gampaha District and 36 (3.3%) from Kalutara District, Dr. Pannila Hetti added.
Outbreaks have also been documented in much of the Northern (17.1%), North-Western (9.9%), and Sabaragamuwa (5.6%) provinces.
There was a clear seasonal trend in the Northern and Eastern Provinces. A majority of cases were reported during the inter-monsoon season, especially from September onward, with exceptional cases over the year.
The Health Ministry’s epidemiology unit has identified 71 high-risk MOH areas, which will receive increased attention during the current programme.
The key to preventing dengue is community participation, and households have decreased vector density to some extent, as has been observed.
Meanwhile, entomological surveys over the past year have discovered that the most potential mosquito breeding sites are civic spaces, including both private and public institutions.
Dengue combating operations underway in Colombo. Pix by Akila Jayawardena
“Mosquito control activities are most effective when multiple approaches are combined and coordinated with other health, environmental, and community sectors for an integrated mosquito management strategy,” Medical Officer of Health Dr. Sashini Ranaweera said.
January 8, 9, and 10 will be assigned to the Colombo, Jaffna, Mannar and Kalutara districts for inspection and control, while January 11, 12, and 13 will be allotted to other districts, said Dr. Ranaweera. The programme was initiated under a directive from the President.
Teams including the police, armed forces, civil defence force, dengue mosquito control assistants, community health teams, village committee members, village officers, and development officers will all be involved in site inspections as part of the programme.
Most dengue patients are aged 25 to 49 years. Severe dengue can be life-threatening. Some are admitted to hospitals during the last stages of dengue, and deaths have increased.
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