Dengue on the wane

Nadira Gunatilleke

The spread of Dengue fever has been on the decline since last week. The sharp decline is due to the successful implementation of the National Dengue Control Program.

The decline is gradual when it is due to natural reasons. Only 6 dengue deaths were reported last week. The total number of dengue cases reported so far is 17,218 and the number of deaths is 175.

But still the public need to be vigilant, Chief Epidemiologist, Epidemiology Unit of the Healthcare and Nutrition Ministry, Dr. Paba Palihawadana said.

Addressing a special press briefing at the Epidemiology Unit yesterday Dr. Palihawadana said that Kandy district recorded the highest number of dengue cases – 2,475 and Colombo recorded 2,374 dengue cases while Kegalle district recorded 2,354 cases.

A handbook on treating dengue authored by a team of specialist doctors have been issued to every doctor and hospital by the Unit but it is up to the doctors to read it and follow the guidelines.

It is the sole responsibility of the doctors to use their experiences and treat patients, he said. According to Dr. Palihawadana the Unit has already carried out a number of researches on dengue epidemic and more researches are going on. All findings are freely available for doctors but unfortunately they rarely pay attention to such findings.

It is very difficult to identify the types of virus and one of the state universities in Singapore still trying to do it on behalf of the Unit. Most of the deaths occurred due to lack of rest which cause problems in the heart, treating patients keeping at home and overdosing paracetamol for children.

Director of the Malaria Control Program Dr. Ravi Abeysinghe said according to WHO guidelines chemicals are used to control mosquito density.

But there are major problems such as very high mosquito density build up due to half constructed buildings, huge concrete slabs, changes in environmental, continuation of occasional rains, breeding mosquitoes in empty lands and not having proper plan to dispose solid waste etc.