Deaths due to dengue reduced by 90 percent last year : NDCU

The number of dengue cases and deaths owing to dengue have reduced by 70 and 90 percent respectively last year, the National Dengue Control Unit said.

Issuing a press release, the Ministry of Health said that the implementation of technical mechanisms and an efficient health service were the main reasons for the drop in the number of victims.

“All specialist doctors across the country were trained on the methods of treating dengue patients. Dengue eradication programmes were also carried out at approximately 1.5 million houses in the country” the release noted.

Over 1200 volunteers were utilised to inspect surroundings, fumigate the environment and carry out Epidemiology surveys in the island.

The Health Ministry also said that all divisional secretariats were provided with the necessary equipment to carry out dengue prevention activities.

Meanwhile, a programme is being carried out in collaboration with the Ministry of Education to help prevent children being affected by this disease since 30 percent of dengue cases constitute school children.

A computer software was also introduced to facilitate parents to monitor the child’s progress in terms of the disease.

Further, a sustainable programme is currently underway with the collaboration of the Housing and Development Ministry, the Colombo Municipal Council and the Ministry of Western Development due to the high number of dengue cases being reported from the Western Province.

The Health Ministry also called on the general public to clean their surroundings which are potential breeding grounds for dengue mosquitoes for 30 minutes once a week in order to prevent the rise of this disease during the rainy season.