Daily rate of Dengue cases reaches alarming levels

COLOMBO (News 1st): The number of dengue cases reported daily has increased to between 300 to 400, the National Dengue Control Unit said on Saturday (May 20). 

The situation may further worsen in the coming weeks, Dr. Nalin Ariyaratne, the Director of the National Dengue Control Unit warned. 

People should be vigilant regarding the alarming increase in Dengue cases and proactively take measures to maintain their surroundings cleanly, to keep Dengue at bay and prevent an epidemic, he emphasized.

The rate of Dengue patients admitted to the Lady Ridgeway Hospital for Children is also on the rise, with 43 children currently receiving in-house treatment, Dr. Deepal Perera, Consultant Paediatrician at LRH told News 1st. 

Against this backdrop, a decision has been reached to declare Friday, as a day for cleaning mosquito breeding places at all public and private institutions, Dr. Indika Weerasinghe, Community Physician at the National Dengue Control Unit, noted.