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Dengue predicted to rebound with seasonal rains
Heavy showers in the island will most likely increase the number of dengue cases in the future, health officials have warned.
A school in Kalutara being fumigateda
They urged to maintain proper disposal of garbage to reduce potential breeding places of mosquitoes, to prevent a future outbreak.
According to the recent update of the Epidemiology Unit the total number of cases reported this year as of Friday is 149,654. During the last week of August 2638 cases were reported.
Dengue Control Unit Consultant Community Physician Dr. Preshila Samaraweera told the Sunday Times that cases have not started to rise as yet, however in the coming weeks they are expecting cases to be reported from the North and Eastern provinces.
She said there will be an increase in cases where there is intermittent rain.
According to Dr. Samaraweera health authorities in the all the areas are continuing clean up campaigns on a strict basis. She added that garbage disposal should be done properly as it can be a contributory factor in breeding dengue.
Batticaloa’s regional epidemiologist Dr. Dharshini Murugupillai told the Sunday Times that except for one or two isolated dengue cases there has not been any major outbreak. However, she stated that with the monsoon rains setting in they are expecting a rise if the breeding places remains on the increase.
“At present due to the court order issued there is no place to dump garbage and with the monsoon rains starting we fear that the non-degradable containers may increase breeding places for mosquitoes which can result in a outbreak,”she warned.
Dr. Dharshini said that they have started conducting clean up campaigns as the sole obstacle appeared to be the improper disposal of garbage.
The Epidemiology Unit’s Panadura regional director of health services told the Sunday Times that 6,230 cases have been reported so far for the year while 335 cases were reported this month.
The official stated that the highest number of cases were reported from Panadura, Dodangoda, Bandaragama and Horana MOHs.
“We have to expect an increase in about four weeks due to the heavy rains that increase the number of breeding places.
A spokesperson for the Sabaragamuwa province director of health services said that the number of cases have exceeded 8,000. However no deaths were reported and the rush in hospitals have also reduced.
He said that they have 100 PHIs appointed in the area and they are hoping to conduct a mass clean up campaign next week in to reduce the number of breeding places.
The National Dengue Control Unit said that the National Dengue Control Week is scheduled to be held from September 20-26.