                        
<p>168 dengue deaths so far

 

<p>Over 168 dengue patients have died so far this year, according to the Health Ministry. The countrywide dengue awareness programs have been intensified. Legal measures have been taken to deal with Local Government authorities and individuals who do not clean up their surroundings and allow mosquitoes of all varieties to breed.

<p>More than 15,500 cases have been reported since January, according to the Ministry of Health. 

<p>More than 6,600 cases of the mosquito-borne infection were reported in June alone. January to April was another bad period, with 2,800 cases and seven deaths. The virus spread even faster between April and June. Health authorities are concerned that a large number of cases has been reported from the Central Province, where the disease had not gained a foothold earlier.  Earlier, the disease was mostly prevalent in Colombo, Gampaha and Kalutara. Women and children are the biggest affected group. 

<p>The latest report by health authorities said although it was not feasible to eradicate dengue from Sri Lanka in the near future, a well-organised vector control program could reduce the number of infections. 

<p>"In addition to focusing on mosquito control, dengue prevention efforts should also emphasize accurate early detection and treatment," it stated. 

<p>According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the incidence of dengue has grown dramatically. Some 2.5 billion people - two fifths of the world's population - are now at risk. It estimates there could be 50 million dengue infections worldwide every year.