(COLOMBO, LANKAPUVATH) –There is a risk of Dengue spreading in the Western, Sabaragamuwa, Southern, North Western and Northern Province in the next few months due to the rains at present.
Therefore Minister of Health, Nutrition and Indigenous Medicine, Dr. Rajitha Senaratne has directed the Dengue Prevention Unit to continuously implement the Dengue mosquito eradication programs as the Dengue epidemic is very low at present.
Already, 514,950 premises in 190 MOH divisions have been checked and 10,128 places were identified as dengue breeding grounds while 20 percent were identified as places which could be Dengue breeding grounds during the rainy season and remedies were taken to correct this situation.
There is a reduction of dengue breeding grounds in the households of Western Province due to the continuous awareness programs but there is a possibility of having Dengue breeding grounds in construction sites, places of religious worship, institutions and schools which is a major challenge.
As there is a possibility of Dengue fever due to the rains at present and if a person is having fever they should meet a doctor and take medicine.
Therefore, patients who have been identified as dengue hemorrhagic fever need to be immediately contacted by a doctor and they need to be treated promptly.
Places where people gather such as schools, public places, factories and places of religious worship should be checked periodically and ensure that they are free of mosquitoes.
Children who are having fever should be kept under a net during the day time.
If there are any utensils exposed to the rain it should be avoided and allocate 30 minutes a week to check the premises.
If there is a dengue patient at home, school or at the work place to take action to control a breakout of an epidemic the MOH or the Health Inspector of the area should be informed.
