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| Sunday, 28 July 2002 |
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| News Business Features Editorial
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Dengue : MRI on top gear by Shanika Sriyananda Liyanage and Don Asoka Wijewardena The Medical Research Institute (MRI) has already commenced a comprehensive research on dengue fever and has formulated an effective strategy to eliminate dengue mosquitoes. The failure to eradicate the virus completely, could be attributed to lack of resources personnel, ineffective surveillance and improper cleaning methods of possible breeding grounds, Dr. A. T. Kulatilaka, Director, Epidemiology Unit, Colombo National Hospital said. He said this at a forum on 'Dengue Outbreak - Why have we failed?' held at the Sri Lanka Medical Association (SLMA) recently. He pointed out that the virus had spread more among the adults than infants in 2002, affecting persons over 30 years of age." Showing a different trend more adults have become victims than a few years back. Adults who are over 60 years of age have died of dengue and this needs to be analyzed," he said. They could not carry out a well-organised dengue control program with inexperienced epidemiologists and MOHs who lack required medical training. Prof. Tissa Vitharana, former Director of the MRI claimed that this is due to lack of a well monitoring system for control. " While installing a good monitoring system, carrying out effective surveillance of cases will be very helpful to find the real ground situation. It will help to take precautions when there is a dengue outbreak", Prof. Vitarana pointed out. The SLMA has urged the public to seek timely medical advice if they develop symptoms of high fever, headache, rashes on the face, with nausea and vomiting. |
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