Dengue galloping at alarming rate, public urged to play their part in curbing disease
The National Dengue Control Unit (NDCU) has issued a warning over the notable increase in dengue cases, citing an alarming 1,000 new infections in just five days since the beginning of December.
Consultant Community Physician of the NDCU, Dr. Nimalka Pannila Hetti, revealed that up until the third week of November, 79,225 dengue patients and 46 deaths were reported throughout the country.
“A significant increase in dengue cases has been seen due to the prevailing rainy weather, with a daily total of around 250 individuals,” she said.
With 36,862 cases, the Western Province (WP) accounted for almost half of the total number.
“A wider range of dengue cases in the WP has been discovered in the Colombo District, and the number is 16,744 (21.2%). In addition, 15,311 (19.5%) dengue cases were reported from the Gampaha District and 4,807 (6.1%) from the Kalutara District,” Dr. Pannila Hetti added.
The Central Province stands at 12.6%, the North-Western Province at 8.7%, and the Sabaragamuwa Province at 8.1%.
The Epidemiology Unit has identified 61 high-risk Medical Officers of Health (MOH) areas, with the most potential mosquito breeding sites being civic space areas.
At a high-level meeting on Wednesday, Senior Advisor to the President on National Security and Chief of Presidential Staff Sagala Ratnayake urged all relevant departments to promptly address the increasing number of dengue cases.
NDCU Director Dr. Nalin Ariyarathne told the Sunday Times, “Dengue transmission is influenced by factors like host immune status, virus traits, and environmental variables, with rapid urbanisation, population growth, and poor water supply potentially triggering its re-emerging.”.
Meanwhile, the Police Environment Protection Division is actively participating in combating dengue, Police Media Spokesman SSP Nihal Thalduwa said.
“The surge in cases underscores the urgent need for increased measures to control the virus’s spread amid rainy conditions, with increased awareness and proactive measures,” Colombo Municipal Council's Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Ruwan Wijemuni, said.
He said armed forces personnel and Public Health Inspectors (PHIs) had been deployed under 16 teams to conduct special inspections of areas with high mosquito density. He said inspections of schools and households will be carried out on Sundays, while office premises will be inspected on Mondays in the Western Province.
Meanwhile, Public Health Inspectors’ Union (PHIU) secretary Shanaka Bopitiyage said the public should take urgent measures to prevent the spread of dengue by keeping household premises and surroundings clean and devoid of stagnant water.
He stressed that dengue vector control programmes were showing less efficiency owing to inadequate engagement by the community.
The NDCU also urged the public to identify their roles and