(COLOMBO, LANKAPUVATH) – Director of the National Dengue Eradication Unit, Dr. Aruna Jayasekara says that in addition to the spread of the COVID-19 virus, there is a risk of dengue patients increasing with the prevailing rains these days.
He said that 200 -300 dengue cases have been reported in the last 17 days and around 400 cases were reported in April.
Since the beginning of this year, there have been around 20 deaths due to dengue, he added.
Dr. Jayasekara said that although there seems to be a decrease in the number of dengue patients this year compared to last year, usually there is an increase in the number of dengue patients in the months of June, July and August each year.
According to the Epidemiology Unit of the Health Ministry, 19244 suspected dengue cases were reported to the Unit from all over the island from January 2020 to up to now. A total of 105,049 dengue patients and 150 deaths were reported last year.
