Beware of dengue outbreak
With the present wet weather proving conducive for mosquito breeding, the Health Ministry Epidemiological Unit has warned of a dengue outbreak.

Though very few cases have been reported so far, more cases are likely to surface in the coming weeks, Epidemiological Unit Director, Dr. T.A. Kulatillaka warned.

He said the mosquito population has increased and this signalled that more cases would be reported. "The density of mosquito cells has increased which means the number of cases will also go up," Dr. Kulatillaka said.

Chief Medical Officer of Health of the CMC, Dr. Pradeep Kariyawasam said that he has been receiving complaints from parents of the prevalence of mosquitoes in schools. He warned that the municipality will have to take tough measures this time against school authorities.

"We won't send them warning letters, but will prosecute them directly," he said. The public has been asked to keep the environment clean by ensuring clean gutters and drains, trimmed bushes and hedges and disposing of any items which can retain water such as tins, coconut shells and tyres.

People are advised to look out for warning signs such as fever, headache, rashes, muscle and joint pains, abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting. Early treatment is advised to prevent complications. Patients suffering from dengue must not be given paracetamol/aspirin or drugs containing salicylates.

The dengue virus can attack the liver and an overdose of paracetamol will only prove fatal or result in the worsening of the illness. Meanwhile the Colombo Municipal Council has launched a mosquito eradication programme in the canal system, large drains and marshy lands which are breeding grounds of mosquitoes.

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