15 MOH areas flagged as high-risk zones due to rise in dengue cases: NDCU

24 August 2024 08:08 am Views - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}} 8 Bookmark

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BY HUZEFA ALIASGER

Sri Lanka is currently experiencing a rise in dengue cases, with the latest data from the National Dengue Control Unit (NDCU) indicating 35,118 cases reported up to the 33rd week of 2024, an increase from 30,575 cases recorded during the corresponding period of 2023.

The data reveals 968 suspected cases recorded alone this week, which highlights an increase from 917 the previous week. The Western Province is the most affected region, contributing 51.3% of the total cases nationwide. Colombo District alone accounts for nearly 30 per cent of the total cases.

The NDCU has flagged 15 Medical Officer of Health (MOH) areas as high-risk zones, with newly identified hotspots such as Nawalapitiya, Harispattuwa, Kolonnawa, and Mahara showing an increase in cases which adds to the previously flagged districts which are Kandy, Gampaha, Colombo, Ratnapura, Galle, Kalutara, Jaffna, Kilinochchi, Mannar and ColomboSouth.

The Jaffna District has witnessed a dramatic 133% increase in cases, while other areas in the Northern Province, including Kilinochchi and Mannar, have also seen sharp upticks.

Hospitalisations are also on the rise. The average midnight total of dengue patients in 74 selected hospitals was 317 in the 33rd week, with 19 hospitals reporting an increase in admissions.

Comments - 8

Tissa Fernando Saturday, 24 August 2024 09:06 AM

Unhygienic environment is one of the reasons for the breeding of these mosquitoes. People pay taxes but government is not doing anything effective to control this.

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Upali the Nasty Guy Saturday, 24 August 2024 11:22 AM

Your Government. Ask the Minister of Health to publish the addresses of the MOHs in the respective areas. People can contact him for anti mosquito spraying when the mosquito population increase. Last time I saw spraying against the mosquito was one day after Gotabaya rajapakse was elected.That was 5 years ago. The Glass company ( Privatised) does not purchase empty glass bottles or broken bottles, as the Govt Owned Glass Company used to do. The empty bottles are left on the road and at junctions. The Govt Owned Glass Company used to buy empty bottles and broken bottles ( Cullets) in order save on fuel oil used.The private guy take profits abroad and waste our external resources.

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Sokrates Saturday, 24 August 2024 09:19 AM

Why is there only moaning and nothing is done? Why is Sri Lanka not involved in research into vaccines? There are now vaccines against malaria and dengue: Mosquirix (RTS, S/AS01), Dengvaxia and CYD. However, further research is needed, particularly on dengue. However, as Sri Lanka has not participated in the research, these vaccines are very expensive. These diseases can be fatal, especially in children up to 5 years of age. This shows once again that the Sri Lankan regimes are spending money on nonsense like useless ports and airports, but neglecting vital things for the population.

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Vernon Mendis Sunday, 25 August 2024 05:56 AM

First of all, we really appreciate your effort of taking stern steps by by Daily mirror editor Mr Huzefa Aliasger to point out the dengue menace in the residential areas of Western Province with the help of the public and others. We have also noted that the Ministry of Health is the government institution charged with governing the entire Sri Lankan health system. Health Ministry plays a critical role in protecting the general public's health and make sure that all organizations and institutions coming under the purview your Ministry that provide products and services to the public adhere to the safety regulations. However, for many years, it is regret to note that those public institutions namely the NDCU at Colombo , MOH and PHIs at Moratuwa office and Police environment unit of Mount Lavinia Police are fully aware and failed miserably to eradicate the mosquito breeding spots especially located at the State Development

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Joseph Fernando. Sunday, 25 August 2024 10:15 AM

There are unused lands in the cities and suburbs where water gets stagnated during rain and take many days to dry up after rain. In Wattla, certain areas garbage is thrown on roadside by sick minded residents. The government should take over unused private lands which are breeding grounds for mosquitos and other harmful pests. I have never seen PHIs in Wattla area. The governments should consider to replace PHI with private company staff.

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Grace Sunday, 25 August 2024 11:08 AM

I 100% agree with you. PHIs are getting salaries from our hard earned monies. Millions are spent for treating infectious diseases in government hospitals. Our educated executive president should do something to utilise unused government and private lands and replace PHIs with private company staff.

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Rambanda Podiralahamy Sunday, 25 August 2024 11:36 AM

National Dengue Control Unit (NDCU) at Colombo , MOH and PHIs at Moratuwa office and Police environment unit of Mount Lavinia Police are fully aware and failed to eradicate the mosquito breeding spots especially located at the State Development

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Karupan Ganeswaran Sunday, 25 August 2024 11:50 AM

This has reference to Mosquito breeding spot at State Development

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