Risk of Dengue in Sri Lanka set to increase in the coming months

The risk of Dengue in Sri Lanka is set to increase in the coming months of June, July and August. At present, there is a gradual decrease in the rate of Dengue patients reported in the country, Dr. Aruna Jayasekera, the Director of the National Dengue Eradication Unit said. However, with the beginning of the inter-monsoon rains and the upcoming monsoonal rain, the risk of Dengue is expected to intensify, he added. There is a usual trend in the rate of Dengue patients gradually increasing in the months of June, July and August; especially the areas that are affected by the South-Western Monsoon, he further said. As of 12th May, a total of 18,977 Dengue patients have been reported in the country for the year 2020, according to data obtained from the Epidemiology Unit of the Ministry of Health. The data shows that 96 cases of Dengue have been reported for the Month of May so far. During the course of this year, no Dengue related deaths were reported in the country, Dr. Jayasekara said. People are advised to clean their surrounding environment to clear breeding grounds of Dengue mosquitoes.