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Scattered rains could see hike in dengue cases, warns health official
The prevailing weather conditions could result in an increase in the number of dengue cases in Colombo City, a health official has warned. Stressing that the scattered rains experienced across the country, could turn potential mosquito breeding grounds to actual breeding sites, Colombo’s chief medical officer Dr. Ruwan Wijayamuni said the leave of doctors and health workers in the city have been cancelled on account of a possible hike in dengue cases.
“We are currently experiencing a slight increase in the number of cases. Yesterday (Thursday 27) alone there were eleven cases reported,” Dr. Wijayamuni said. He said six of these cases were reported from the Colombo Law Faculty’s male hostel. He said of the four who were hospitalised, one was in a critical condition and under intensive care.
A team who had inspected the Faculty premises found several mosquito breeding sites near the canteen, Dr. Wijayamuni said, adding that a court case was filed following the inspection. “Usually we had two or three dengue cases on a daily basis. On some days we had only one,” Dr. Wijayamuni said.
The statistics released by the Epidemiology Unit however showed a sharp drop in the figures reported from the Colombo District this month in comparison to the corresponding period last year. A total of 499 cases were reported for this month, while 1104 cases were reported in August last year.
“I fear that things might change with this rain,” Dr. Wijayamuni said, adding that people should be alert to any dengue mosquito breeding places and destroy them. The Colombo Municipal Council will carry out dengue awareness programmes in Kirulapane, Pamankada, Narahenpita and Maradana which are considered to be high risk zones, he said.
Meanwhile Epidemiology Unit Head Dr Paba Palihawadana said they had not observed a major change in dengue statistics across the country.“We receive 300-500 cases a week and it has not gone beyond that,” she said, adding that for this year so far the unit has recorded 19,551 cases and 34 deaths.
Dr. Palihawadana however added that they were gearing for a possible dengue peak season in November.