Dengue has developed into an epidemic- Health Ministry

COLOMBO (News 1st); The Ministry of Health says dengue has developed into an epidemic in Sri Lanka.

Dr. Shilanthi Seneviratne, Community Physician, Specialist at the National Dengue Control Unit stated that 6,896 dengue patients have been reported in the country so far in January alone.

She also stated that 8,966 Dengue patients were reported during the month of December alone, adding the rate of Dengue patients reported to the National Dengue Control Unit has slightly increased.

She noted that there is a significant rise in the rate of Dengue patients reported from the Colombo, Gampaha, Kalutara, Kandy, Galle, Matara, Jaffna, Mannar, Batticaloa, Trincomalee, Kalmune, Kurunegala, Puttalam, Badulla and Ratnapura Districts.

She also mentioned that the current category of dengue virus has changed.

Dr. Seneviratne added that there are different types of the Dengue fever adding the types are identified as TYPE 01, TYPE 02, TYPE 03, and TYPE 04.

She noted that the TYPE 02 was on the rise recently, adding that the cases reported these days are of TYPE 03.

Public has been encouraged to practice dengue prevention methods such as barring dengue mosquito breeding grounds and to keep their surroundings clean.