Dengue cases exceed 70,000 this year

A total of 72,321 cases of dengue fever have been reported to date this year, compared to last year’s 36,000 cases.  

The Health Ministry’s Dengue Control Unit warned of a surge in dengue cases following shattered showers island-wide. Public is requested to take all safety precautions to prevent mosquito bites during day time. 

This week 1902 cases were recorded this week compared to last year’s corresponding week which had 1806 cases.  

Fifty eight Medical Officers of Health divisions have been declared as high risk areas.  

Colombo, Gampaha, Puttalam, Jaffna, Kandy, Batticaloa, Kalutara and Ratnapura districts are showing an increasing number of patients.  

Discarded items and abandoned construction sites continue to be the top breeding spots, followed by temporary removables, air conditioners and refrigerator trays, tyres, water storage cement tanks, covering items, certain plants and trees, wells and tube wells, gutters, concrete slabs and water storage containers.

According to the World Health Organization, dengue causes flu-like symptoms and lasts for 2-7 days and is accompanied by high fever (about 40 degrees) with headaches, pain behind eyes, nausea, vomiting, swollen glands, joint, bone or muscle pains and sometimes with a rash.

Severe symptoms include intense abdominal pain, persistent vomiting; bleeding gums, vomiting blood, rapid breathing and fatigue/ restlessness require immediate medical treatment.