Dengue epidemic likely with monsoon season

COLOMBO (News 1st): There is a risk of Dengue spreading as a result of the prevailing monsoon condition, with a large number of patients being detected from the Colombo district, health authorities said. "The fact that Dengue patients are rapidly being reported in the Colombo district means there is a risk of an epidemic situation in the coming future," Dr. Aruna Jayasekara, the Director of the National Dengue Control Unit warned on Friday (Jun. 04). According to Dr. Jayasekara, 7860 dengue patients were reported so far this year; of the total cases reported this year, 859 patients were detected in May alone and one-third of the cases were from the Colombo district. "The main symptoms of both COVID-19 and Dengue are quite similar. Both will show fever-like symptoms, body pains, and headaches. As such, one cannot determine whether it is COVID-19, Dengue, or some other viral flu. Therefore, if you have fever-like symptoms, immediately seek medical treatment," Dr. Jayasekara advised the general public.