Reply To:
Name - Reply Comment
Red alert on dengue
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)
Comments - 5
Recommended
You May Also Like
