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Many children dying from dengue, outbreak feared
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Wellawatte: Health officials inspecting a site. Pic by Eshan Fernando
By Nadia Fazlulhaq
Deaths from dengue have risen to 60 — most of them children — and infections exceed 62,000 so far this year. Health officials fear an outbreak the next two months.
The 62,184 infections from the mosquito-borne disease as of October, have surpassed last year’s tally of 35,924 patients.
According to the Epidemiology Unit of the Health Ministry, infections were below 50,000 in 2020 and 2021. In 2019, there were 105,049 patients and 150 died.
Health officials are worried the situation could develop into that of the pre-coronavirus disease years. The next two months are a high-risk period, they warn.
“The end of the southwest monsoonal rains, is the beginning of the mosquito breeding season, especially in Western province. There is an alarming number of cases from Gampaha District,’’ said Dr. Anoja Dheerasinghe, consultant community physician of the National Dengue Control Unit.
Out of the total number of infected people, 48.2% are from the Western Province. Nearly half of the patients from the Western Province are from Gampaha District (23.2%). Patients from other areas in Colombo District account for 13.1%, Kalutara District 7.8%, and Colombo Municipal Council area 4%.
Outside the Western Province, Kandy district has the highest number of patients (9.7%) followed by Puttalam (5.4%) and Jaffna (5.2%).
According to Health Ministry statistics, District General Hospital, Negombo has admitted the highest number of dengue patients this week.
Dr. Dheerasinghe predicted a drastic increase in infections in the North and East after the rains.
The Dengue Control Unit said Moratuwa, Dompe, Ragama, Beruwala, Gampola, Wattegama, Matale Municipal Council area, Weligama, Jaffna MC and Ruwanwella Medical Officer of Health areas have been newly-identified as high risk areas.
Infections have increased in Piliyandala, Battaramulla, Negombo MC, Gangawatakorale, Yatinuwara, Akuressa, Akkaraipattu, Mahawewa, Badulla, and Eheliyagoda MOH areas in the previous week.
“The majority of deaths are among children and active adults below 50 years of age. Their deaths should be prevented. Due to the economic crisis and transport issues, there had been a delay in seeking medical treatment on time,” said the head of the Dengue Control Unit, Dr. Sudath Samaraweera.
He advised anyone presenting with a fever for more than 24 hours to immediately seek medical help. Only paracetamol is recommended for fever, he said.
The Health Ministry has asked public health officers at local councils to continue monitoring construction sites.
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