June 08, Colombo (LNW): More than 25,000 dengue cases have been reported, and nine patients have died in the past five months, prompting urgent calls for public cooperation to prevent a potential epidemic.
At a press conference held at the Presidential Media Center on Thursday (6th), Dr. Sudath Samaraweera, Director Consultant of the National Dengue Control Unit, emphasized that the current flood situation could exacerbate the spread of dengue. He stressed the necessity of full public support to execute the government’s dengue control plans, highlighting that this issue extends beyond health to economic and social domains.
Consultant Dr. Anoja Dheerasinghe, Community Medical Officer of the National Dengue Control Unit, noted a rise in cases, particularly in the Colombo, Gampaha, Kalutara, Ratnapura, Kandy, Kegalle, and Kurunegala districts. She advised that the most effective way to combat dengue is by preventing mosquito breeding. She urged the public to eliminate mosquito breeding sites at home, school, and workplaces.
Dr. Ananda Wijewickrema, Chairman of the National Drug Regulatory Authority and a specialist at the National Institute of Infectious Diseases, outlined key symptoms of dengue, including high fever, body pain, vomiting, severe headache, and diarrhea. He cautioned against taking painkillers or any drugs other than paracetamol without medical advice. If symptoms persist for more than two days, he recommended undergoing a complete blood test (FBC) and seeking medical advice from a government hospital. He also advised consuming liquids with salt and minerals, such as porridge, Jeevani, thambili, and lime, while avoiding liquids containing chemicals or red coloring.
