Six die, more than 17,000 infected due to dengue

Sri Lanka has reported more than 17,000 dengue cases during the first four months of the year, highlighting a significant public health concern, Health Promotion Bureau.

 

Chief Epidemiologist Dr Sudath Samaraweera said that Western Province remained the most affected, with 46 % dengue cases reported.

 

Samaraweera noted that 17,459 dengue cases have been recorded this year, along with six deaths linked to dengue. 

He said that a total of 5,018 dengue cases reported in April alone, with 985 cases recorded in Rathnapura.

 

Meanwhile, he advised the public to seek medical attention within 24 hours, and pregnant mothers should consult a doctor within 24 hours if they had fever and exhibit symptoms of dengue fever.

 

Health authorities urge the public to clean up mosquito breeding areas to prevent the spread of diseases like dengue and chikungunya and ensuring community health and safety.