Drug stocks replenished to combat dengue

The Ministry of Health has ordered more supplies of the intravenous solution Dextran from a Thai supplier to treat a growing number of patients suffering from dengue haemorrhagic fever, which is known to cause a state of shock, bleeding from the skin and nose, and can be fatal.

The ministry’s epidemiology unit said overall dengue cases had reached 50,000 as of last Friday. The unit's head Dr. Paba Palliyawardena, said Colombo, Gampaha, Kalutara districts in the Western Province and Galle, Ambalangoda and Balapitiya in the Southern Province were the worst affected.

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Medical Services Division Director, Dr. Lal Panapitiya, said the intravenous solution was ordered following a request made by the State Pharmaceutical Corporation.

He said that supplies meant for 2017 had been ordered although existing stocks were adequate. Deliveries were expected in the first week of the new year.

In the Eastern Province, Kalmunai has also reported a higher number of dengue cases. Health officials attribute this to wells abandoned by households switching to pipe-borne water. The Sunday Times learns that there are 2,000 such wells that have become breeding grounds for the dengue virus vector, the Aedes aegyptimosquito.

Doctors say a particular strain of the dengue virus causes haemorrhagic fever. They advise patients living in high risk areas to test their blood count within a day if they show symptoms of fever.

Meanwhile, the Infectious Diseases Hospital advises patients to be wary of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs prescribed by general practitioners.

The hospital's director, Dr. Ananda Wijewickrema, said drugs such as Brufen, Diclofenac Sodium, Aspirin and Disprin given as pain relievers could cause liver complications. “Patients have a right to know and doctors have a duty to explain. Ask questions about the side-effects before taking the medications,’’ he said.

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