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Rise in dengue cases: A cause for concern
A steep rise observed in dengue cases—a massive 17,868 cases between January and March this year–could worsen the burden on the country’s healthcare sector if efforts to stamp out the vector do not continue, experts said.
The number of cases this year is a marked increase of 35 percent when compared with the 13,148 cases reported between January and March last year, according to an analysis of a situation report released by the Epidemiology Unit of Sri Lanka.
The sharp rise—primarily visible in January—is attributable to changes in monsoon patterns experienced last year, National Dengue Control Director Unit Anura Jayasekara said.
The Southwest monsoon, which usually ends in September, extended into November last year. The decline from the peak in seasonal rains leads to an increase in dengue breeding sites, Dr Jayasekara said.
While the number of active cases in Sri Lanka is low at present, the current rains could prove problematic in the near future. A majority of the country’s medical resources are focused on the battle against COVID-19. This means Public Health Inspectors (PHIs) and other officials may not be able to monitor and eradicate potential breeding sites.
The Infectious Diseases Hospital (IDH), now being used as the primary care facility for Covid-19-infected patients, is also the country’s main dengue treatment facility. A resource deficit might take place should a seasonal rise in dengue occur, Dr Jayasekara warned.
“We all have a personal effort to make here,” he urged. “Cleaning your immediate surroundings and removing potential mosquito breeding sites will allow the whole country to avoid the exacerbation of the current health crisis.”