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Last Updated : 2024-04-23 21:35:00
23 May 2023 07:09 am - 4 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
*** Health Ministry intensifies drive against dengue
*** SL logs 6000 cases in 20 days
*** Reasons for major spike multifaceted including recent economic crisis
With the dengue outbreak raging in the country, health experts warn that Sri Lanka is heading to a hyper or major epidemic wreaking havoc.
Speaking with the Daily Mirror, Dr LakKumar Fernando, WHO Technical Advisory group member on Dengue and other Arbovirus diseases for South East Asian region said “The epidemic we are experiencing can be the worst since 2017 and 2019. Nevertheless, if preventive measures are not in place, the current situation may end up in a more devastating state reaching the number of cases in 2017,” he stressed.
“Thus, it is imperative that people take early precautions to clean the surroundings and avoid mosquito bites.”
Meanwhile, when asked about the reasons that could be attributed to the sudden spike in cases, Dr. Fernando said “The reasons could be multifaceted. One is the recent economic crisis which caused continued lapses in dengue preventive actions increasing breeding places with dominance of relatively new DEN-3 serotype, which is becoming the main dengue serotype found among majority of infections at present. In addition, the situation has also been triggered by the scattered showers.”
“Over the last few years, the majority of dengue cases belonged to the DEN-2 against which the people’s immunity was powerful. However, the immunity against the serotype 3 is lesser than the serotype 2 and that’s why the cases have soared drastically,” he explained.
Dengue infections are caused by four closely related viruses named DEN-1, DEN-2, DEN-3 and DEN-4. These four viruses are called serotypes because each has different interactions with the antibodies in the human blood serum.
The largest dengue outbreak in Sri Lanka was reported in 2017 registering 186,101 cases, while the number of cases reported in 2019 is the second largest. However, Sri Lanka has already surpassed the number of cases logged in the years 2020 and 2021 with six more months to spare.
Prasad Fernando Tuesday, 23 May 2023 09:10 AM
Dengue cleanup drive may never be effective as long as the street vendors keep occupying the pavements. For example, if you walk around Moratuwa city limits, the entire Moratuwa town is a huge Sathi Polak. Fish stalls are in between clothing stores. The drains are blocked with all kinds of discarded fish parts. How can a city be kept clean if situation is as such? The other major disaster is the shanties with extremely narrow roads which cannot be reached by the municipality garbage trucks. (My comment is long, but my message should be heard by the authorities. So, please publish it. Thanks)
fernando Tuesday, 23 May 2023 10:06 AM
Dehiwela no better -DMMC officials are only good at visiting houses trying to find reasons to impose a fine
Ram Tuesday, 23 May 2023 01:00 PM
Where was the Health Minister when signs were erupting about Dengue. He waited until the issue went out of control to action. In Sri Lanka all Ministers are like that. They wait for a wound to fester as then more money/commission in the eradication
Milan Claude Perera Wednesday, 24 May 2023 12:09 PM
It is very much appreciated that you have published such information for the public. Thank you Sheain Fernando for the article.
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