Dengue on the rise island wide

According to epidemiologists, the number of dengue patients has seen a drastic increase with over 8,535 Dengue patients being reported within the month of January alone after a spell of heavy monsoon rain.

At present, almost all districts across the country have dengue cases. Approximately 40.5 percent of Dengue cases were identified from the Western Province making Colombo, Gampaha and Kalutara districts that have the highest increasing rate in the country.

Dengue holds a periodic transmission in Sri Lanka that coincides with the rainy season, with two peaks occurring with the monsoon rains in June-July and in October-December respectively. In the absence of an effective vaccine that protects humans from Dengue, putting an end to the probability of continuous breeding of mosquitoes is the most effective way to prevent Dengue infections. 

The Health Officials stressed that it is very essential to seek medical attention on the chance of fever and to go ahead with relevant laboratory examinations at the minimum of day three of the illness or similar symptoms.