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| Sunday, 16 June 2002 |
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Fifteen deaths reported islandwide: Beware of another dengue outbreak by Don Asoka Wijewardena From January to May this year there were about 3,000 suspected dengue cases throughout the country of which 868 were positive. The highest number of cases were reported from Gampaha and the lowest from Kalutara. Dengue fever has already accounted for 15 lives including schoolchildren during this short period. Other areas where the disease was rampant were Colombo, Maharagama, Gampaha, Negambo, Mirigama, Ja-Ela, Wattala, Ragama, Matara and Matale and the Ministry of Health has warned the general public to seek timely medical advice as soon as people developed high fever and body aches. Director Epidemiological Unit, Ministry of Health, Dr. T.A. Kulatillka, told the "Sunday Observer" that about 2,500 suspected dengue cases including schoolchildren were being treated for the virus, which was rife with the advent of the monsoonal rains. "A Task Force to deal with the sudden outbreak of dengue has been set up and it comprises Secretary to the Ministry of Health, Dr Reggi Perera, and some high officials of other ministries. In a bid to control the virus, the public has been advised to keep the environment clean to prevent the dengue mosquito breeding in clean water. It is imperative to destroy potential breeding grounds like flower pots containing water, gutters and empty cans, tins and bottles and king coconut husks filled with rain water," said Dr Kulatillaka. According to Health Ministry sources, circulars had been already sent to the respective MOH offices, schools and village community centres, advising them to destroy the possible sources of dengue mosquito breeding places of their environment. According to the Secretary to the Ministry of Health, Dr. Reggi Perera, the Task Force had intensified its activities with the help of other ministries and implemented some ad hoc educational, as well as awareness programs for students and the general public on district basis throughout the country on the "prevention of dengue by destroying the existing breeding grounds". "When a dengue mosquito bites somebody, high fever is developed with body aches after four weeks, but there is no specific anti-viral medicine to treat dengue fever. This virus is capable of crippling the clotting factor of the blood and, as a result, internal bleeding occurs. Doctors should not recommend medicine like Asprin or Disprin because they can cause more bleeding. Bed rest is the most important remedy. Children are the worst affected because their natural defence system against viruses is weak. In about 3,000 reported cases, 90 per cent were children," explained Dr. Kulatillaka. |
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