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Dengue infections could surpass 90,000
Health officials have warned that if the rains continue in the coming weeks, the number of dengue cases may rise if immediate medical attention is not sought by those infected.
According to the National Dengue Control Unit (NDCU) the most prevalent strain is the type 3 dengue virus and it is known to be more critical than other types.
“It’s not necessarily a new strain. People have not developed an immunity for the type 3 strain which is prevalent,” the director of the NDCU, Dr. Anura Jayasekara said.
According to him, the outbreak in 2017 was the type 2 dengue virus and when people develop an immunity against a particular type of virus, the other type emerges.
The NDCU data show that about 90,000 dengue cases and 90 deaths have been reported as of the end of this week. Dr. Jayasekara said people must seek immediate medical attention.
“A blood test must be taken on the second day of suffering from fever, although the dengue symptoms remain,” he said. As of 16th December, Colombo District recorded 18,365 cases, compared with 10,258 last year.
Gampaha District reported 14,265 dengue cases, Kandy District 7,980 cases and Jaffna reported 6,888. Meanwhile, as of 16th December, Jaffna District reported 1,390 dengue cases and according to the NDCU this was the highest number during the month.
Jaffna regional director of health services, Dr. Devanesan told the Sunday Times that lack of staff and continuous rainfall from October was the main reason for the increase. Chavakachcheri, Nallur, Uduvil, Chankanai, Tellipalai, Kopay, Point pedro, Sandilipay, Jaffna and Karaveddy have been identified as high risk areas.
“Training preventive and curative staff, daily meetings in high risk MOH areas, introducing fish to potential breeding grounds like wells, fogging, checking premises are some of the few preventive measures implemented,” he said. The dengue death toll in the Gampaha District has increased to 28 compared with seven last year.
Gampaha regional director of health services, Dr. Chandrani Senaratne, said that the outbreak is mainly due to the intermittent rains. Negombo, Katana, Wattala, Kelaniya, Biyagama, Ja-ela and Attanagalla have been identified as high risk MOH areas.
“Due to the outbreak, many hospitals, especially the Negombo hospital, does not have bed space and lack resources. But, we are planning to transfer patients to other nearby hospitals,” she said. Kandy regional director of health services Dr. Nidarshini Periyasamy, warned that if the rains continue, dengue cases will rise.
Harispattuwa, Kundasale, Akurana, Yati Nuwara and the Kandy Municipal area have been identified as high risk MOH areas.
“We have been carrying out cleaning programmes for the past eight weeks with the help of the community, tri-forces and the police,” she said.