10 districts at High Risk of Dengue: National Dengue Eradication Unit

COLOMBO (News 1st): The risk of Dengue has intensified in 10 districts, due to the South-West monsoon season, according to the National Dengue Eradication Unit. "Accordingly, the number of Dengue patients could be expected to rise in the districts of Colombo, Gampaha, Kalutara, Galle, Matara, Ratnapura, Kegalle, Kandy, Matale and Kurunegala," said Dr. Aruna Jayasekara - Director at the National Dengue Eradication Unit on Sunday (May 24). Thereby, Dr. Jayasekara requested the general public to take adequate precautions and maintain their surroundings clean to prevent the spread of Dengue mosquitoes. As of Sunday (May 24), the latest figures published by the Epidemiology Unit at the Ministry of Health show that during the course of this year, a total of 19,474 Dengue patients were reported in Sri Lanka. The majority of 11,595 Dengue patients were reported in January followed by 5,350 cases in February. In March there were 1,581 cases, 463 Dengue cases in April; and as of 24th May, 485 Dengue patients were reported in Sri Lanka for May. Of the total Dengue cases for this year, the majority of 2,763 were reported in the Colombo district, according to data from the Epidemiology Unit.