Dengue death rate zero now

Nadira Gunatilleke

The National Dengue Control Week organised by the Healthcare and Nutrition Ministry will begin on October 21 countrywide.

The dengue epidemic which hit Sri Lanka last January is now under control and the death rate is zero. The number of dengue cases reported during the 36th week is only 49, the latest statistics of the Epidemiology Unit of the Healthcare and Nutrition Ministry says.

According to the statistics during the past eight months 25,235 dengue patients and 249 deaths had been reported. The highest number of dengue patients, 3448 had been reported from the Kandy district. Kegalle district recorded 3,333 dengue patients and Colombo district 3,292 patients.

The highest number of dengue deaths 47 was reported from the Gampaha district. The number of deaths reported from Kandy district is 36. Colombo district recorded 30 deaths and Kegalle district 22 deaths.

The peak of the epidemic was reported during the 25th week (June). The number of cases reported during the peak was 2,096. There were 12 deaths.

Healthcare and Nutrition Ministry requests the public to be vigilant and continue to destroy mosquito breeding places.

The dengue fever can raise its head at any time because of scattered showers, officials said.