Red alert on dengue

8 April 2011 05:57 am - 5 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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The Health Ministry today sounded a ‘Red Alert’ on a possible outbreak of dengue in the month of April as extreme heat in the day time and occasional drizzle during the night were contributing factors to a sharp increase of the disease.

A discussion held at the Health Ministry Chaired by Health Minister Maithripala Sirisena was told that the month of April has shown a steady increase of dengue patients in the last five years and this year will not be an exception.

“I have instructed the additional secretary Dr. Palitha Mahipala to alert all MOH offices island wide to launch programmes to tackle the possible outbreak of dengue this month after I was informed about the possibility of such a scenario,” Minister Sirisena said.

Dr. Mahipala pointed out that the drizzle in the night and heat in the day time has created ideal breeding grounds for mosquitoes.

The Health Ministry has identified ten districts and 18 MOH areas as high risk areas of dengue. The Districts are Colombo, Ratnapura, Kegalle, Gampaha, Kalutara, Hambantota, Batticaloa, Trincomalee, Puttalam and Kurunegala.

High risk MOH offices are Colombo, Godakawela, Kurunnegala, Ridigama, Biyagama, Minuwangoda, Wattala, Horana, Panadura, Tissamaharama, vavuniya, Batticaloa, Chenkaladi, Wellaweli, Oddmawadi, Koralaipattu, Uppuweli and Mawanella.

Minister said an additional stock of drugs and medical equipment will be sent to hospitals situated in the high risk MOH areas with instructions to doctors to be especially vigilant about patients with fever.

Meanwhile, the Government Epidemiology Unit today said there was a marked increase of dengue cases in February and March which is 1050 and 1070 respectively as opposed to 907 in January. (Sandun A. Jayasekera)

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Comments - 5

Elaris Friday, 08 April 2011 01:08 PM

Nothing to worry, blue brigade will be ready to fight dengue this time.

Elaris Friday, 08 April 2011 09:16 PM

Dr. Mervyn will deal with the problem

YURI Friday, 08 April 2011 09:24 PM

keep the Hard copy, you may have to say it every other month.

ampare son Friday, 08 April 2011 11:58 PM

eleminate bogus doctors. they kill dengue patients too.

sxhabeeb Saturday, 09 April 2011 06:39 AM

We need more lanu and trees......

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Red alert on dengue

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