Health Ministry warns of possible dengue outbreak

The Health Ministry yesterday sounded an alarm that there was a possibility of dengue raising its ugly head with the onset of the rainy season with the number of victims rising to 36,497 by last Friday and the number of dengue related deaths to 56 island wide.

The Government Epidemiology Unit (GEU) identified Colombo. Gampaha, Galle, Matara, Hambantota and Ratnapura as dengue risk areas and advised people to keep their immediate environment free of dengue breeding places and keep the environment clean and tidy.

Meanwhile, Director General of Health Services, Dr. Anil Jasinghe said people must avoid Aspirin and other Non-steroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs and Steroids for Fever

“With the establishment of the South – Western Monsoon, there can be an increase in the number of cases being reported from some other districts,

Majority of Dengue patients are being reported from Colombo, Gampaha, Kalutara, Ratnapura, Galle and Matara districts,” Dr. Jasinghe said.

Doctors who are treating patients must avoid prescribing the following drugs for the treatment of fever.

Aspirin, Ibuprofen, Diclofenac Sodium, Mefenamic Acid and other similar Non-steroidal AntiInflammatory Drugs, steroid group of drugs (Prednisolone, MethylPrednisolone and Dexamethasone).

“It is also advisable for the general public to be aware of the medications they are using for fever,” he noted.

With the establishment of the South – Western Monsoon, there can be an increase in the number of cases being reported from some other districts