Dengue on the rise

COLOMBO (News 1st); The National Dengue Control Unit says that there is an increase in dengue cases in the country.

Consultant Community Physician of the National Dengue Control Unit Dr. Shilanthi Senevirathne says that the rainy weather has attributed to dengue cases in the country to increase.

She emphasized that just because the country is battling COVID-19, does not mean that the population is safe from Dengue, and the public should be careful from dengue as well.

In addition, she stated that the public can spare time to ensure that dengue does not spread in their surroundings and to take action. 

Accordingly, she instructed the public to take action to clean breeding places, indoors and outdoors, and to focus on the cleanliness of public places.

Dr. Seneviratne further stated that authorities should also focus on maintaining the cleanliness at schools, as schools were closed for a long time due to COVID-19.

When inquired about symptoms that may prompt medical advice, she stated that if any person has fever for more than two days, that person should either visit a Government hospital or to consult a private physician, and to seek medical attention.

She also urged for any patients with fever lasting for more than two days to obtain a full blood count as soon as possible and to not take any other medicines, except for paracetamol.