Source: http://www.dailymirror.lk/DM_BLOG/Se...px?ARTID=72442
DENGUE AND A H1N1 COULD REACH PEAK LEVELS THIS YEAR
366 dengue and A H1N1 diseases in 2009
By Sandun A. Jayasekera
The Health Authorities yesterday warned dengue and A H1N1 would come to a peak this year claiming more victims as the combined death toll from both diseases in the past year stood at a alarming 366.
There were 33, 075 cases and 533 reported cases of dengue and A H1N1 by yesterday according to the Government Epidemiology Unit (GEU)
Director GEU Dr. Prabha Palihawadana warned the public to avoid public gathering places to keep away A H1N1 as the virus spread through air and personal contacts.
?If some one develops symptoms of fever and cough keep the patient isolated. The patient must be given a lot of liquid. However rush the patient to a doctor, if the cough and fever continue with chest pain and breathing difficulties.
By keeping your immediate environment clean and tidy, destroying mosquito breeding places and preventing vector breeding are the only solution to control dengue,? Dr. Palihawadana stressed.
The spread of dengue was on the rise in the districts of Colombo, Gampaha, Kandy, Matara, Kurunegala and Kegalle during 2009.
AH1N1 cases reported during the year were mainly from Colombo, Kandy, Gampaha and Kurunegala, she said.
Meanwhile, Health Ministry spokesman W. M. D. Wanninayaka said 22 undergrads of the Sri Jayawardana University had fallen victims to AH1N1.
He dismissed the claim by Sabaragamuwa University that some 300-500 students fell ill from A H1N1 virus compelling the management to temporarily close down the university and said the university should have consulted the Health Ministry or GEU before the decision to close the University was taken.
Mr Wanninayaka said tests had shown that the students had not been affected from A H1N1 but from common cold.
Expectant mothers, elderly people, children below five years of age and those with heart conditions must be extra vigilant to keep away from dengue and AH1N1 as these risk groups may aggravate the disease if they get infected from both viruses, he emphasized.
DENGUE AND A H1N1 COULD REACH PEAK LEVELS THIS YEAR
366 dengue and A H1N1 diseases in 2009
By Sandun A. Jayasekera
The Health Authorities yesterday warned dengue and A H1N1 would come to a peak this year claiming more victims as the combined death toll from both diseases in the past year stood at a alarming 366.
There were 33, 075 cases and 533 reported cases of dengue and A H1N1 by yesterday according to the Government Epidemiology Unit (GEU)
Director GEU Dr. Prabha Palihawadana warned the public to avoid public gathering places to keep away A H1N1 as the virus spread through air and personal contacts.
?If some one develops symptoms of fever and cough keep the patient isolated. The patient must be given a lot of liquid. However rush the patient to a doctor, if the cough and fever continue with chest pain and breathing difficulties.
By keeping your immediate environment clean and tidy, destroying mosquito breeding places and preventing vector breeding are the only solution to control dengue,? Dr. Palihawadana stressed.
The spread of dengue was on the rise in the districts of Colombo, Gampaha, Kandy, Matara, Kurunegala and Kegalle during 2009.
AH1N1 cases reported during the year were mainly from Colombo, Kandy, Gampaha and Kurunegala, she said.
Meanwhile, Health Ministry spokesman W. M. D. Wanninayaka said 22 undergrads of the Sri Jayawardana University had fallen victims to AH1N1.
He dismissed the claim by Sabaragamuwa University that some 300-500 students fell ill from A H1N1 virus compelling the management to temporarily close down the university and said the university should have consulted the Health Ministry or GEU before the decision to close the University was taken.
Mr Wanninayaka said tests had shown that the students had not been affected from A H1N1 but from common cold.
Expectant mothers, elderly people, children below five years of age and those with heart conditions must be extra vigilant to keep away from dengue and AH1N1 as these risk groups may aggravate the disease if they get infected from both viruses, he emphasized.