Colombo & 09 districts identified as Dengue High-Risk zones

COLOMBO (News 1st): The Ministry of Health has identified 10 districts including Colombo, as Dengue High-Risk Zones. "The rate of Dengue patients reported in the country has risen given the monsoon season," Community Physician at the National Dengue Control Unit, Specialist Dr. Himali Herath told News 1st on Saturday (Jul. 24). According to Dr. Herath, the majority of Dengue patients are reported from the districts of Colombo, Gampaha, and Kalutara. Moreover, the rate of Dengue patients reported in the districts of Kurunegala, Kandy, Matara, Ratnapura, Galle, Kegalle, and Hambantota has also risen, she noted. Thereby, Dr. Himali Herath urged the people to clean their surroundings and prevent the spread of Dengue mosquitoes. During the course of this year, more than 10,000 Dengue patients have been reported across the country. Based on the data at the Epidemiology Unit, of the 10,155 Dengue patients reported so far this year, approximately 36.2 % of the cases were reported from the Western province. According to the Health Ministry, seven people have died due to Dengue so far this year.