The Health Ministry’s National Dengue Control Unit (NDCU) reports a significant increase in cases of dengue fever during the first half of this year, compared to 2020.
The NDCU has already identified several districts as Dengue Risk Zones. Accordingly, Dengue cases are more prevalent in Colombo, Gampaha, Kalutara, Kurunegala, Kandy, Matara, Ratnapura, Kegalle, Galle, and Hambantota districts.
Around 16,497 dengue patients have been reported so far in 2021. About 70 percent of the dengue patients reported from the island are from the Western Province. The NDCU points out that the dengue outbreak is expected to continue due to the Southwest Monsoon rains prevailing in the island.
Joint research conducted by the NDCU, the Medical Research Institute and the Dengue Research Institute at the University of Sri Jayewardenepura has identified that all four serotypes of dengue viruses, designated as DENV-1, DENV-2, DENV-3, and DENV-4 are currently circulating in the island.
According to the research, DENV 2 and DENV 3 are more prevalent in the country and dengue cases of DENV 1 have also been reported in the country after a few years.
The National Dengue Control Unit points out that there is an increase in the number of dengue patients due to changes in the circulating virus groups and the public should be especially vigilant in this regard.
The National Dengue Control Unit urged the public to follow health instructions against both dengue fever and COVID-19 to prevent the emergence of any complex situation from the dual public health concerns.
Hospitals across the country have introduced specialized methods of safe hospitalization and triage of fever patients upon arrival at the hospital for treatment, with a special focus on the risk of COVID-19 disease. Therefore, people should not be afraid to come to the hospital in case of suspected dengue.
In collaboration with Health Officers’ Offices across the country, the National Dengue Control Unit is constantly engaged in dengue control and control activities and is constantly educating the public through the media.
The National Dengue Control Unit points out that the active participation and intervention of the public in the control of dengue is important and calls for commitment of all stakeholders in achieving disease control.