Sri Lanka on the verge of major dengue outbreak warn Health Authorities over 1,300 cases reported in 10 days

• People’s support not sufficient in combating dengue
• Only 770 cases reported during November last year
• Risk arises when flood waters begin to subside. Hence, people should be on alert over this situation

By Sheain Fernandopulle   

 Health authorities warned people to be vigilant as a major outbreak is on the cards in near future in the wake of incessant rains. They said that people were not proactive in combating the Dengue epidemic,  A total of 1,361 cases have been reported within just 10 days in the month of November.  

“There were only 770 cases reported for the entire month of November last year. However, it has almost surpassed the 1,000 mark within just 10 days of  November this year, which shows the gravity of the epidemic,” they said.  
Speaking to Daily Mirror, Community Physician at the National Dengue Control Unit, Specialist, Dr. Shilanthi Seneviratne said that conducive environment had been created for mosquito- breeding places with the prevailing flood situation in the country.   “Risk arises when flood waters begin to subside. Hence, people should be on alert over this situation,” she added.  

According to Dr. Seneviratne, a considerable number of cases was being detected from the Colombo, Batticaloa, Badulla, Kegalle and Kurunegala Districts.  

Meanwhile, she said people’s support in the endeavour to combat dengue  was not at all satisfactory.   “The delay in seeking the medication is the great concern due to fears of COVID-19,” she stated.  

Thus, Dr. Seneviratne urged people to seek medical advise as early as possible if they sufferred from fever for more than two days.  

Besides, she invited people to allocate time to destroy all mosquito breeding places surrounding their neighbourhood as it had also become one of the major concerns. 

• According to Dr. Seneviratne, a considerable number of cases was being  detected from the Colombo, Batticaloa, Badulla, Kegalle and Kurunegala  Districts