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| Sunday, 27 June 2004 |
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| News Business Features Editorial
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Dengue all time high by Shanika Sriyananda The spread of dengue has reached epidemic proportions with the number infected this year up to June 25 soaring to an all-time high of 6,342. The number of dengue infections during the same period last year was only 2,236, much less than half of this year's figure. The present figure is higher than even the total number of dengue infected last year which was 4,672. The biggest increase was this month with 2002 suspected victims a figure much higher than the total number of infections for the previous three months. Already 40 patients have died this year. Of them 25 deaths were reported this month, thus recording a death once in two weeks on an average. According to Epidemiology Unit (EU) officials there is over 75 percent increase in dengue suspected cases this year. "There is a dengue epidemic in the country now", an EU medical officer said adding that there was no cut off line for dengue to call it an epidemic as other viruses. The health officials have identified Colombo, Gampaha and Kandy as dengue 'hot spots' as the highest number of suspected cases have been reported from the three districts last year as well as this year. According to EU statistics, total number of suspected dengue cases reported from Colombo, Galle and Kandy districts were 1,003, 878 and 669 respectively last year and these numbers have soared to 1,221, 1,168 and 1,139 this year. The EU statistics are mainly based on those who seek treatment from State hospitals and according to private healthcare sources, people who received treatment for dengue were much higher. Over 422 suspected dengue cases have been reported from Colombo Municipal areas and 298 suspected cases from other areas in the Colombo district, this month. Meanwhile, the Colombo Municipal health officials will once again launch a one week 'clean-up or pay-up' campaign tomorrow under the banner. |
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