Risk of Dengue on the rise in the coming months

COLOMBO (News 1st): The risk of Dengue in Sri Lanka is set to increase in the coming months of June, July and August.

“At present there is a gradual decrease in the rate of Dengue patients reported in the country,” told Dr. Aruna Jayasekera, the Director of the National Dengue Eradication Unit on Tuesday (12th May).

However, according to Dr. Jayasekara, with the beginning of the inter-monsoon rains and the upcoming monsoon rain, the risk of Dengue is expected to intensify.

Dr. Jayasekara said, “There is a usual trend in the rate of Dengue patients gradually increasing in the months of June, July and August; especially the areas that are affected by the South-Western Monsoon.”

As of 12th May, a total of 18,977 Dengue patients have been reported in the country for the year 2020, according to data obtained from the Epidemiology Unit at the Ministry of Health.

January has recorded 11,595 cases, February – 5,316 cases, March – 1,557 cases, April – 413 cases, which followed by 96 cases for the Month of May so far.

Speaking to News 1st, Dr. Jayasekara said during the course of this year, no Dengue related deaths were reported in the country.

“People are advised to clean their surrounding environment to clear breeding grounds of Dengue mosquitoes,” emphasized Dr. Jayasekara.