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Dengue cases may drop as rains cease, but public must be vigilant, says expert
More than 50 per cent of the 5,383 Dengue cases reported so far this year were from the Western Province, Health Ministry statistics revealed.
The statistics compiled up to January 20 shows that 54.1 percent cases are from the Western Province.
However, since the rains have ceased, there is a possibility that cases might decrease, said Dr Shilanthi Seneviratne, Consultant Community Physician of the National Dengue Control Unit (NDCU).
From January 10-16, 2,081 cases were recorded, a 1.2 percent increase from the 2,057 cases reported the previous week.
The Western Province continues to be affected with 9.1 percent from the Colombo Municipal Council and 16.7 percent from other parts of Colombo. Gampaha and Kalutara closely follow with 21.2 percent and 7.5 percent respectively.
Eighty-four Medical Officer of Health (MOH) areas were flagged as high risk areas; of which Bulathsinhala, Poojapitiya, Balapitiya, Karandeniya, Tangalle, Walasmulla, Nallur, Chavakachcheri, Vavuniya, Ibbagamuwa, Dankotuwa, Madampe and Kegalle MOH were newly identified. Twenty-one MOH areas showed a rising number of cases while another 44 showed persistently high numbers.
Health officials are conducting awareness programmes, Dr Seneviratne told the Sunday Times. In addition, a campaign to reduce the sources of mosquito breeding sites is taking place. Entomological schemes using chemicals are in place to detect and destroy breeding sources in sites such as vehicle yards.
Health authorities urged the public to use mosquito repellents and nets and to seek medical care if they displayed any symptoms. “The reported cases are determined from the admissions to hospitals, so people are seeking advice,” she said.
Dr Seneviratne further said, people must inspect their household surroundings at least once a week to ensure that there are no breeding sites. “All possible places must be checked, even a water leakage under a sink could be breeding mosquitoes.”
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