தமிழ்
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Written by Bella Dalima
The Epidemiology Unit of the Ministry of Health says that the spread of Dengue in the Western Province has reached epidemic proportions.
Chief Epidemiologist Dr. Paba Palihawadana said the MOH divisions where the disease is spreading rapidly have been identified and eradication programmes have been initiated.
39-year-old Thanuja Nishanthi is one of the latest victims of the Dengue menace.
She was admitted to the Angoda Infectious Disease Hospital hospital on May 20 with a fever , when doctors had diagnosed with her Dengue fever.
Thanuja, who received in house treatment over 10 days, succumbed to the fever Friday morning, orphaning her only daughter, aged 9.
According to data from the Epidemiology Unit of the Ministry of Health, 33 Dengue related deaths were reported in the first five months of the year.
Dr. Anil Jasinghe, director of the National Hospital in Colombo, says that the number of Dengue patients admitted to the hospital this month has doubled in comparison to April.
Presently, 450 Dengue patients are receiving in house treatment at the hospital.
The number of Dengue patients being admitted to the Colombo South Teaching Hospital is also on the rise.
Hospital Director Dr. Asela Gunawardena said that as of midnight Friday, 167 Dengue patients were receiving in-house treatment.
A doctor at the hospital and two nurses are among those being treated for Dengue.
Dr. Mahinda Samaranayake, director of the Colombo North Teaching Hospital, says that 48 Dengue patients are receiving in-house treatment at present. Among them are nine children.
Dr. Linton Padmasiri. director of the Lady Ridgeway Children’s Hospital, says that 62 children who had contracted Dengue were admitted to the hospital last week alone.
Dr. Sisira Wijeysundera, medical superintendent at the Wathupitiwala Base Hospital, says that 30 persons, including a child, are being treated at the hospital for Dengue.
Furthermore, 40 Dengue patients are receiving in-house treatment at the Colombo East Base Hospital.
Hospital Director Dr. Ajith Danthanarayana says that dilapidated vehicles abandoned on the hospital grounds have become a haven for Dengue-carrying mosquitoes.
Dr. Danthanarayana adds that the fact these dilapidated vehicles have been parked close to the ward where the patients are being treated, is endangering their lives.
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