The National Dengue Control Week, jointly organized by the Ministry of Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Government, the Ministry of Health and Mass Media, the National Dengue Control Unit, the Ministry of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Training, and the Sri Lanka Police, commences today (15) with the objective of controlling the spread of dengue disease.
Speaking during a Zoom discussion held in connection with the programme, Community Health Specialist of the National Dengue Control Unit, Dr. Jagath Amarasekara, representing the Ministry of Health and Mass Media, stated that while the number of dengue patients reported weekly in the country had previously remained close to 1,000, the current weekly case count has exceeded that figure and continues to rise exponentially.
Dr. Amarasekara further pointed out that, as a result of this situation, the number of patients being admitted to hospitals on a daily basis is also increasing rapidly. He warned that if this trend continues, it could surpass the capacity of the health sector and lead to an increase in dengue-related deaths.
