Sri Lanka: 2009 Dengue- 33,081 cases; 334 deaths

[Shiloh]

Re: Sri Lanka: Dengue

Re: Sri Lanka: Dengue

Source: http://www.dailynews.lk/2009/06/09/news12.asp

Dengue, rat fever, rabies on the rise

Nadira Gunatilleke

Dengue, rat fever (Leptospirosis) and rabies are on the rise in Sri Lanka, a Healthcare and Nutrition Ministry spokesman said.

?During the last five months, over 110 persons have died of dengue while the number of persons who have died from rat fever during the same period is 51. Another 55 persons died from rabies, the spokesman said. He said the Ministry has taken steps to control dengue with the assistance of other line Ministries and civil defence committees. Over 8,000 persons have been affected with dengue fever so far.

The majority of rat fever deaths have been reported from Colombo, Gampaha, Kalutara, Galle, Ratnapura and Kandy districts.

The majority (75 percent) of victims were working in paddy fields, mines and similar environments. Persons working in those environments should take two Doxycychine tablets a day before starting work.

The tablets gives around 90 percent protection for one week, the spokesman said.

Around 2,000 dog bites are reported from Sri Lanka per day. Apart from dogs, rabies can be spread through cats, squirrels, monkeys, rats and bats.

?Any warm-blooded animal may become infected with the rabies virus. The Ministry has made arrangements to control rabies by implementing sterilizing and vaccination programs with the assistance of NGOs and Provincial authorities,? he said.

 

[Shiloh]

Re: Sri Lanka: Dengue- 122 deaths; 8,500+ cases

Re: Sri Lanka: Dengue- 122 deaths; 8,500+ cases

Source: http://www.dailynews.lk/2009/06/11/news25.asp

Dengue deaths top 122

Nadira GUNATILLEKE

The number of dengue deaths has risen to 122 by yesterday while the number of patients have exceeded 8,500.

The Healthcare and Nutrition Ministry also issued 486 warnings to residents in Colombo by yesterday, a Ministry spokesman said.

He said the Ministry has upto date issued 486 warnings to residents in Colombo who have mosquito breeding sites within their properties.

Many people had 'mosquito breeding grounds' in their homes and gardens.

They have been warned and given two weeks to clean all mosquito breeding sites within their properties.

The ministry will carry out another inspection in two weeks. If action has not been taken to clear the premises, they will be fined and imprisoned under the Prevention of Mosquito Breeding Act No.11 of 2007, the spokesman said.

The dengue control program will cover Kandy and Gampaha districts on June 13 and 14.

The Ministry along with Civil Defence Committees, Police, Grama Niladharies and officials will conduct awareness raising programs on June 13.

A large scale shramadana campaign will be implemented on June 14

 

[Shiloh]

Re: Sri Lanka: Dengue- 122 deaths; 8,500+ cases

Re: Sri Lanka: Dengue- 122 deaths; 8,500+ cases

Source: http://www.dailymirror.lk/DM_BLOG/Sections/frmNewsDetailView.aspx?ARTID=51563

Dengue: Another woman dies in Matara
Thursday, June 11, 2009
By Chrishan Jeewaka Jayaruk

Another young woman undergoing treatment for Dengue fever at the Matara hospital died on Tuesday, Medical Director M.A.S.C. Samarakone said.

The diseased was P.A. Sharmila (21) of Walpitigewatte Kadawedduwa, Yatiyana.

The number of deaths so far at the hospital was seven and daily admissions had progressively increased, Medical Director Samarakone said. The number has risen to 65 during the last ten days.

Seven patients were undergoing treatment yesterday (10) with two of them in the ICU.

The condition of a two-and-a-half-year-old child was critical a hospital spokesman said. Health sectors warn the public to be on the alert since more and more patients have been reported from the medical officer?s divisions of Matara, Devinuwara, Dikwella, Weligama and Thihagoda.

In 2008 the numbers reported from Matara was 398 whereas the numbers had increased to 480 during the months of this year.

Despite numerous programmes launched to control the fever there was no visible decrease in the number of patients a health officer remarked.

 

[Shiloh]

Re: Sri Lanka: Dengue- 127 deaths; 9,000+ cases

Re: Sri Lanka: Dengue- 127 deaths; 9,000+ cases

Source: http://www.dailynews.lk/2009/06/12/news22.asp

Ninety percent viral flu dengue related
Shirley WIJESINGHE

Medical experts have confirmed that the viral flu sweeping many parts of the country mainly was 90 percent dengue cases, Healthcare and Nutrition Ministry sources said.

Blood specimens sent to the Singapore State University for laboratory investigation confirmed that 19 out of 20 blood specimens are dengue related.

The Ministry has decided to send these blood specimens to the Singapore State University after considering the high death rate reported during the last five months. Investigations carried out by the Medical Research Institute (MRI) has also received similar results.

Ministry sources said the university will carry out further laboratory investigations to find out the reason for the rapid shock symptom common in dengue patients.

The research on blood specimens will be carried out by famous Virologist Prof. Gubbler of the Singapore State University.

 

[Shiloh]

Re: Sri Lanka: Dengue- 127 deaths; 9,000+ cases

Re: Sri Lanka: Dengue- 127 deaths; 9,000+ cases

Source: http://www.dailynews.lk/2009/06/12/news12.asp

Dengue takes serious turn
Friday, 12 June 2009
Nadira GUNATILLEKE

The number of deaths from Dengue has risen to 127 by yesterday. Over 9,000 persons have been infected with dengue so far, a Healthcare and Nutrition Ministry spokesman said.

He said this is the highest number of dengue deaths since 2000. In 2004, the highest number of dengue cases were reported and it was 15,463 but only 88 dengue deaths were reported in the same year. This year 52 deaths had been reported in May alone. Colombo, Gampaha, Kalutara, Kandy, Kurunegala, Galle, Matara, Hambantota, Kegalle, Matale, Batticaloa, Trincomalee and Puttalam have been identified by the Ministry as badly affected areas.

According to the spokesman dengue mosquitoes breed in clean and shallow water and even a cap of a bottle is adequate for them to breed.

 

[Shiloh]

Re: Sri Lanka: Dengue- 127 deaths; 9,000+ cases

Re: Sri Lanka: Dengue- 127 deaths; 9,000+ cases

Source: http://www.flutrackers.com/forum/newreply.php?do=newreply&noquote=1&p=56147


Monday, 15 June 2009
Kandy tops dengue deaths

ASELA KURULUWANSE

Kandy has recorded the highest number of dengue deaths which is over 22.

One thousand four hundred and fifty dengue patients have also been reported from Kandy, Central Provincial Health Services Director Dr. Shanthi Samarasinghe said. Dengue cases have been reported from Kandy town, Yatinuwara, Udunuwara, Akurana and Galagedera areas.

A series of awareness programs have been launched by a combined team consisting of officials from police, civil defence committees and health authorities. This has helped to combat the spread of this epidemic, the Health Director said.

 

[Shiloh]

Re: Sri Lanka: Dengue- 130 deaths; 9,652 cases

Re: Sri Lanka: Dengue- 130 deaths; 9,652 cases

Source: http://www.dailynews.lk/2009/06/17/news37.asp

Wednesday, 17 June 2009
Slight decline in spread of dengue

Nadira Gunatilleke

The spread of dengue fever shows a slight decline at present but with the rains currently experienced, it may increase any moment. The public should continue to destroy and clean mosquito breeding sites within their properties, a Healthcare and Nutrition Ministry spokesman said.

He said so far 130 persons have died from dengue fever this year and the number of cases reported is 9,652. The most affected district is Kandy where 1,492 cases have been reported while the number of deaths recorded is 24. Colombo district comes second with 1,432 dengue cases and 13 deaths.

He said this year?s death rate is the highest since 2000. The highest number of dengue patients - 15,463 were reported in 2004, while only 88 dengue deaths were reported the same year. This year, 52 deaths had been reported in May. The Ministry has identified Gampaha, Kalutara, Kurunegala, Galle, Matara, Hambantota, Kegalle, Matale, Batticaloa, Trincomalee and Puttalam as badly affected.

Thirty five percent of dengue patients are women while 25 percent are schoolchildren. This proves that they had been infected while they were at home or at school, Ministry sources said.

 

[Shiloh]

Re: Sri Lanka: Dengue- 130 deaths; 9,652 cases

Re: Sri Lanka: Dengue- 130 deaths; 9,652 cases

Source: http://www.dailynews.lk/2009/06/17/news12.asp

Six dengue deaths
Wednesday, 17 June 2009
Ariyapala Wansathilake Kurunegala Central Special corr.

Six dengue patients have died at the Kurunegala Teaching Hospital upto now, according to latest records. Hundred and three patients have been treated at the hospital, Provincial Health and Indigenous Medicine Minister Asoka Wadigamangawa told the Daily News.

Wadigamangawa said dengue cases have been reported from Kurunegala, Narammala, Polgahawela and Rideegama areas.

Suspected cases are from Kurunegala 162, Narammala 132, Polgahawela 117 and Rideegama 87, said Provincial Health Director Dr. R.M.S.K. Ratnayake.

A series of awareness programs have been launched by medical officers to eradicate mosquito breeding places.

 

[Shiloh]

Re: Sri Lanka: Dengue- 142 deaths; 9,652 cases

Re: Sri Lanka: Dengue- 142 deaths; 9,652 cases

Source: http://www.dailymirror.lk/DM_BLOG/Sections/frmNewsDetailView.aspx?ARTID=52369

Friday, June 19, 2009
Dengue death toll rises to 142

While the country?s attention was drawn mainly to the Swine Flu for the last few days, the death toll from dengue rose to 142 and the number of cases touched the 9,500 mark.

A spokeswoman of the Government Epidemiology Unit said yesterday that there was a possibility of the cases of dengue increasing with the onset of the rainy season.

There were 5 deaths during the last 24 hours and the disease was almost out of control, she said. - SAJ

 

[Shiloh]

Re: Sri Lanka: Dengue- 142 deaths; 10,500 cases

Re: Sri Lanka: Dengue- 142 deaths; 10,500 cases

Source: http://www.flutrackers.com/forum/newreply.php?do=newreply&noquote=1&p=56147

Monday, June 22, 2009
Dengue showing no signs of receding
By Sandun A Jayasekera

Health authorities seem desperate as the dengue epidemic shows no signs of receding despite taking a series of preventive measures like public and student awareness programmes, shramadana and legal steps against residents who do not keep their premises clean, a Ministry official said.

Health Ministry spokesman W.M.D. Wanninayake said the death toll due to the Dengue Haemorrhagic Fever (DHF) rose to 142 while the number of dengue patients rose to 10,500 by yesterday with the most number of deaths being reported from Colombo, Kandy, Matale, Gampaha, Kalutara, Matale and Kegalle.

He said shramadana campaigns were held yesterday at 68 divisional secretariat areas from where most of the dengue infections and deaths were reported while health authorities battled to contain the fast spreading epidemic.

Mr. Wanninayake said a combined programme with the assistance of the Ministries of Health, Local Government and Provincial Councils, Education, Police and the Civil Defence Force personnel was carried out to detect residents who did not comply with the instruction issued by Medical Officers of Health and Public Health Inspectors.

He said the residents were given an ultimatum to destroy mosquito breeding sites at their premises and the immediate environment and those who have neglected to destroy mosquito breeding grounds and keep their surroundings clean and tidy were fined.

When you take into account the deaths and cases of infection due to dengue so far reported in 2009 the dengue epidemic has turned out to be the most virulent and deadly disease to hit Sri Lanka in recent times, he said.

 

[Shiloh]

Re: Sri Lanka: Dengue- 142 deaths; 10,500 cases

Re: Sri Lanka: Dengue- 142 deaths; 10,500 cases

Source: http://www.dailymirror.lk/DM_BLOG/Sections/frmNewsDetailView.aspx?ARTID=52585

Monday, June 22, 2009
Controversy over rise of Dengue
Cuban bio-control method not implemented here

By Kelum Bandara

With the alarming rise of the Dengue epidemic, controversy surrounds as to why the Health Ministry did not implement recommendations by an experts panel to adopt a bio-control method used in Cuba to control the Dengue mosquitoes.

The JVP which raised concern about it, said that a committee headed by Science and Technology Minister Prof. Tissa Vitharana recommended this bio-control system to be adopted in Sri Lanka to control mosquito breeding.

JVP MP Vijitha Herath said that his party had concerns about the non-implementation of this recommendation.

?Dengue is a fully controlled disease in Cuba due to the development of such systems.

We can learn from such experiences to arrest the dangerous trend here,? he said.

Asked for comments in this regard, Prof. Vitharana who is also a microbiologist said that Cuba had developed a bacterium called ?Bacillus Thuringiensis? (BTi) to be sprayed on the water clogged areas to destroy the mosquito breeding. He said that BTi fed on the larvae stages of the Dengue mosquito.

?We recommended this biological method for Sri Lanka. We submitted the report to the Health Ministry. That is the only thing we can do. Any decision with regard to the implementation has to be taken by them,? he said.

However, Health Ministry Media Spokesman W.M.D. Wanninayake said Cuba had been successful in dengue- controlling due to the dedicated doctors undertaking field visits and educating people on a regular basis.

Mr. Wanninayake said that any biological system in preventing mosquito breeding would not be a success without the help of people in cleaning the environment.

?People should be aware of this situation and take action to destroy the mosquito breeding grounds in their home gardens. Dengue vector thrives in clean water clogged in discarded tins, empty vessels and gutters.

A small lid of a bottle with water could be an ideal breeding ground for Dengue mosquito. In Cuba, doctors have contributed mostly to the prevention of the diseases but not the biological methods,? he said adding that Cuban doctors do such a great service for a monthly salary of US $ 10.

Mr. Wanninayake said that the Ministry sent a team to Cuba to study its system of Dengue prevention.

?Such methods will not work here according to their recommendations,? he said.

He said that 35 percent of the recent Dengue victims were housewives, and 22 percent children.

 

[Shiloh]

Re: Sri Lanka: Dengue- 146 deaths; 10,500 cases

Re: Sri Lanka: Dengue- 146 deaths; 10,500 cases

Source: http://www.speroforum.com/site/article.asp?id=19686&t=Sri+Lanka:+Dengue+fever+outbreak+kills+146

Sri Lanka: Dengue fever outbreak kills 146
Housewives and children represent respectively 35 and 22 per cent of those killed. The areas worse affected by dengue are Colombo, Kandy, Matale, Gampaha, Kalutara, Matale and Kegalle.

By Asia News

Dengue fever has broken out in Sri Lanka killing 146 people and infecting more than 10,000 people. About 35 per cent of the dead are housewives; 22 per cent children. The most affected areas are Colombo, Kandy, Matale, Gampaha, Kalutara, Matale and Kegalle. Health Ministry spokesman W.M.D. Wanninayake said that new initiatives would be taken to counter the epidemic in the rural population.

Despite preventive measures taken months ago, the number of deaths is expected to grow from 85.

A combined programme with the assistance of the Ministries of Health, Local Government and Provincial Councils, Education, Police and the Civil Defence Force personnel has also put in place to detect residents who fail to comply with orders issued by medical and public health officers (pictured, prevention brochures being handed out).

Dengue fever is a disease transmitted to humans by mosquitoes that proliferate in swamps and marshland.

Under Sri Lankan law local communities are responsible for the destruction of mosquito breeding grounds and keep the surrounding areas clean, but there is no enforcement process that would allow the authorities to pursue anyone for negligence.

 

[Shiloh]

Re: Sri Lanka: Dengue- 146 deaths; 11,589 cases

Re: Sri Lanka: Dengue- 146 deaths; 11,589 cases

Source: http://www.colombopage.com/archive_091/Jun1245847905RA.html

* Dengue deaths rise in Sri Lanka
Wed, Jun 24, 2009, 06:21 pm SL Time, ColomboPage News Desk, Sri Lanka.

June 24, Colombo: The overall death toll from the dengue so far in this year has risen to 146 with the latest death of a seven-year-old boy in Galle.

Sri Lanka Health Ministry confirmed that Kasath Vibhani, a seven-year-old school boy at Kandewaththa in Galle died yesterday at the Karapitiya Hospital due to the dengue infection.

According to the Ministry dengue has spread in 21 districts of the island and the most affected districts are Kandy and Kurunegala.

The latest victims of dengue are from Kilinochchi, Mullaitivu, and Vavuniya districts.

The number of patients suffering from dengue this year has also risen to 11,589.

 

[Shiloh]

Re: Sri Lanka: Dengue- 146 deaths; 11,589 cases

Re: Sri Lanka: Dengue- 146 deaths; 11,589 cases

Source: http://www.dailymirror.lk/DM_BLOG/Sections/frmNewsDetailView.aspx?ARTID=53003

Govt. now turns to Cuba for controlling Dengue
?Two experts due in Sri Lanka soon?

By Yohan Perera and Kelum Bandara

Two senior Ministers yesterday in Parliament called for the government to introduce the Cuban bio-control method to arrest the Dengue epidemic which had now become a global issue.

Construction and Engineering Services Minister Rajitha Senaratne and Minister of Science and Technology Prof. Tissa Vitharana made this remark at an adjournment debate on Dengue in the House.

Dr. Senaratne said getting Cuban support to arrest the epidemic would be an effective move as Cuba has been able to produce a bacteria that could destroy the dengue virus.

?Therefore it is proper to seek the advice and the Cuban support,? he said.

The Minister explained that there have been 36 million dengue patients reported in the globe this year which accounts for 55% of the world?s population.

He said 25,000 people have died of the disease this year. Coming up with more data the Minister said 66 percent of the Dengue patients reported this year around the globe are from the Asian region.

?Several countries such as Australia, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand and Indonesia while South American nations such as Bolivia are also affected.

He stressed the need for a monitoring system where constant blood tests are carried out on suspected patients to detect new traces. However, Health Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva said two Cuban experts on Dengue would arrive in the country very soon to study the situation here and make necessary recommendations on their system.

He said that the application of such a method was not the sole reason for the success in Cuba. He said that a committee headed by Minister Prof. Vitharana and other medical experts studied this system adopted in Cuba in June, 2004.

?This is only one aspect in controlling the disease,? he said.

The Minister said that Cuba had developed a bacteria called Bacillus Thuringensis, but there were practical problems in using it here. He said that the effective period of this bacteria was only 7-10 days, and as a result practical problems could rise due to the need to use it continuously.

At the same time, he noted that the World Health Organization (WHO) had not approved this Cuban method as a safe preventing measure.

?This is also foul smelling. Therefore, Sri Lankans may not like to spray it in water at their residencies.

Dengue fast spreading in NCP

By Athula Bandara

North Central Province Health Minister Sepala Jayaratne yesterday said Dengue is spreading fast in the Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa districts.

The provincial Minister said that 329 Dengue patients had been reported from the Anuradhapura district and 43 patients from the Polonnaruwa district. Two persons had died from Dengue in the Anuradhapura district.

The two deaths were of two school girls aged 11 years and 13 years. He said that a special programme to clean up Dengue mosquito breeding sites in the area had been launched by the provincial health ministry. He said that government officers, members of the security forces and volunteer organizations are involved in this project to combat the spread of Dengue in the province.

The Minister said the best way to prevent the spread of Dengue was for each and every individual to keep their home gardens and premises clean. He said that smoking the area would not only kill mosquitoes but other useful insects as well.

He was speaking at a meeting of public officers on combating the dengue menace in the North Central province.

New land for city garbage dump

By Kelum Bandara

Health Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva told Parliament yesterday that President Mahinda Rajapaksa agreed to a request by him to take over a suitable land under the emergency regulations to dump garbage in the city.

The Minister was speaking during the debate on the Dengue outbreak in the country killing 146 persons.

He said that the garbage disposal was a problem in Colombo because of a court order that prevented the use of a certain land for the purpose.

He said that there were huge garbage dumps in the city as a result, which eventually became breeding grounds for Dengue mosquitoes.

?Those who dispose garbage in this manner are also responsible for the outbreak of this disease. They should also be pinpointed for it,? he said. The Minister said that the media had bullied him by drawing ridiculous cartoons, but he was used to it as a politician.

Mr. de Silva said, ?They all criticize us on the death toll. Yet, we cured 12,250 Dengue patients as well. The positive side was never appreciated. The Minister pointed out that some of those who died had sought medication from the private medical practioners.

 

[Shiloh]

Re: Sri Lanka: Dengue- 151 deaths; 12,387 cases

Re: Sri Lanka: Dengue- 151 deaths; 12,387 cases

Source: http://www.dailynews.lk/2009/06/27/news05.asp

Saturday, 27 June 2009

Dengue patients top 12,387 with 151 deaths:
Control programs in full swing

Nadira GUNATILLEKE

The Healthcare and Nutrition Ministry has released latest statistics on dengue. The number of persons affected by dengue so far is 12,387 while 151 persons have died from the disease.

The number of dengue patients reported within this year is 12,387 and 146 is the highest number of persons to die from dengue since 2000.

In 2004, the highest number of dengue patients were reported from Sri Lanka and it was 15,463 but only 88 dengue deaths were reported in the same year.

This year 52 deaths were been reported during last month (May) alone.

The highest number of deaths have been reported from Kandy (25) and Gampaha (25). The highest number of dengue patients have been reported from Kandy (1765), Colombo (1734) and Kegalle (1634).

The Ministry introduced a hotline (0112665329) to report mosquito breeding sites. Under the Prevention of Mosquito Breeding Act Number 11 of 2007, persons who keep mosquito breeding sites within their properties will have to either pay Rs. 1,000 to Rs. 25,000 fines or be imprisoned for six months.

The Ministry has already identified 68 high risk MOH areas and the Ministry?s dengue control program will be active in those areas from June 27 and 28 at a cost of Rs.6.8 million.

The Ministry?s dengue control program was reviewed and found out that it has brought good results.

The Ministry has appointed 10 officials to supervise the dengue control program in 10 districts where the identified 68 MOH areas are located. The program will be implemented by the Civil Defence Committees, Grama Niladharis, Samurdhi animators, MOH officers, PHIs and all the other health officers in the relevant area.

The dengue control program consists of educational programs, shramadana campaigns, inspections and taking legal action against persons who do not cooperate with the authorities to destroy mosquito breeding sites.

Ministry Additional Secretary Dr.Nihal Jayatilleke will coordinate the entire dengue control program.

 

[Shiloh]

Re: Sri Lanka: Dengue- 151 deaths; 12,387 cases

Re: Sri Lanka: Dengue- 151 deaths; 12,387 cases

Source: http://www.colombopage.com/archive_091/Jun1246196694RA.html

Sri Lanka to import BTI bacteria from Cuba to control dengue
Sun, Jun 28, 2009, 07:14 pm SL Time, ColomboPage News Desk, Sri Lanka.

June 28, Colombo: Sri Lanka plans to import BTI bacteria,( Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis) commonly use as a bioinsecticide to destroy mosquito larvae from Cuba next week to control the fast spreading dengue epidemic in the country.

Health Minister Nimal Siripala De Silva said that he has already ordered a stock of BTI bacteria from Cuba after holding a long discussion with the Cuban Ambassador in Colombo.

According to the Minister, Cuba is one of the countries that has effectively controlled the spread of dengue virus several years ago.

BTI is a spore forming bacteria that produces a protein crystal which is toxic to the mosquitoes and black flies when ingested.

BTI is applied directly to the water where the mosquito larvae are developing so it is readily ingested by them.

The death total of dengue virus in Sri Lanka has risen to 153 and over 13,000 persons are now suffering from dengue fever.

 

[Shiloh]

Re: Sri Lanka: Dengue- 156 deaths; 13,479 cases

Re: Sri Lanka: Dengue- 156 deaths; 13,479 cases

Source: http://www.dailynews.lk/2009/06/30/News28.asp

Tuesday, 30 June 2009
Dengue stats out

Nadira Gunatilleke

The Healthcare and Nutrition Ministry has released the latest statistics on dengue. The number of persons affected by dengue so far is 13,479 and 156 persons have died from the same disease.

Meanwhile the total number of (A)H1N1 positive patients found in Sri Lanka has gone up to 15 with a new positive case found yesterday (Monday 29). But No Sri Lankans (Sri Lankans living in Sri Lanka) have been found positive so far, Healthcare and Nutrition Ministry sources said.

The number of dengue patients reported within this year is 13,479. The highest number of deaths have been reported from Gampaha (28)and Kandy (25).

The highest number of dengue patients have been reported from Kandy (2,013), Kegalle (1,880) and Colombo (1,829). The Ministry introduced a hotline (0112665329) to report mosquito breeding sites. The Ministry has already identified 68 high risk MOH areas and the Ministry's dengue control program commenced in those areas on June 27 and 28 at a cost of Rs. 6.8 million.

 

[Shiloh]

Re: Sri Lanka: Dengue- 156 deaths; 13,692 cases

Re: Sri Lanka: Dengue- 156 deaths; 13,692 cases

Source: http://www.dailymirror.lk/DM_BLOG/Sections/frmNewsDetailView.aspx?ARTID=53434


Wednesday, July 01, 2009
Dengue: Obstacles in importing BTI from Cuba
Number of deaths rise to 156, sick cases to 13,692

By Sandun A Jayasekera

The import of BTI (Bacillus Thurengenesis Israelenesis) from Cuba to control the fast spreading dengue epidemic has confronted a snag as the virus is forbidden in many countries and special permission is needed for trans shipment or transit, a Healthcare and Nutrition Ministry spokesman said yesterday.?The health ministry decided to apply a biological control method to put a break to the dengue epidemic which is out of control and import a stock of BTI from Cuba. But the virus is a forbidden item to import and there must be several diplomatic and quarantine steps to be taken before the import is permitted. The Health and Foreign Affairs Ministries, Bandaranaike International Airport Quarantine and the Cuban Embassy are attending to necessary modalities, he said on condition of anonymity.

Meanwhile the number of dengue deaths rose to 156 and the number of dengue cases to 13,692 yesterday, Dr. Sudath Peiris of the Government Epidemiology Unit said.

The Infectious Disease Hospital (IDH) at Angoda has so far treated 15 A (H1N1) patients and 9 of them have left the hospital after complete recovery, Director IDH, Dr. Anura Senanayake said yesterday.

?We sent two specimens to the Medical Research Institute for tests obtained from two passengers who arrived from Australia on Monday,? Dr. Senanayaka said.

Laboratory tested A (HINI) cases have been so far reported in Sri Lanka among passengers who arrived from Australia, UK and Philippines, he said.

 

[Shiloh]

Re: Sri Lanka: Dengue- 156 deaths; 13,692 cases

Re: Sri Lanka: Dengue- 156 deaths; 13,692 cases

Source: http://www.dailynews.lk/2009/07/02/news24.asp

Thursday, 2 July 2009
Most number of dengue cases reported from Kandy

Nadira GUNATILLEKE

The number of Dengue cases reported from Sri Lanka within this year has gone up to 13,692 and, the number of deaths is 156. The most affected district is Kandy where 2,024 dengue cases and 25 deaths, have been recorded, Healthcare and Nutrition Ministry sources said.

The number of dengue patients reported from the country during last month was 5,357.

**********

According to the Media Coordinator to Healthcare and Nutrition Minister W.M.D.Wanninayake, the Bacillus Thuringenesis Israelensis Bacteria (BTI) will be brought to Sri Lanka from Cuba within next few days. BTI was developed in 1982 to control dengue larvae and has been successfully used in Cuba, India, Malaysia and some other countries.

 

[Shiloh]

Re: Sri Lanka: Dengue- 156 deaths; 13,692 cases

Re: Sri Lanka: Dengue- 156 deaths; 13,692 cases

Source: http://www.dailynews.lk/2009/07/03/news03.asp

Friday, 3 July 2009
Healthcare Ministry updates dengue alert

Nadira GUNATILLEKE

The Healthcare and Nutrition Ministry requested the public to be more vigilant on mosquito breeding grounds and the dengue epidemic these days because the most affected districts have received occasional showers during the past weeks creating an ideal environment for dengue mosquitoes.

The most affected districts are Kandy (2,071 cases and 26 deaths), Colombo (1,996 cases and 18 deaths), Kegalle (1,977 cases and 18 deaths), Gampaha (1,719 cases and 31 deaths) and Kurunegala (1,235 cases and 10 deaths). These areas receive occasional rains. Rain creates the best condition for dengue mosquitoes to breed since they prefer clean water.

The number of dengue patients reported from the country during last month (June)was 5357 and it was 4182 in the month of May. In April 1058 dengue patients were reported. The highest number of persons died from dengue since 2000 is 156 and it is within the last six months.

In 2004 the highest number of dengue patients were reported from Sri Lanka and it was 15463 but only 88 dengue deaths were reported.

According to the WHO symptoms appear 3 to 14 days after the infective bite. Symptoms range from a mild fever, to incapacitating high fever, with severe headache, pain behind the eyes, muscle and joint pain and rash.

There are no specific antiviral medicines for dengue.

It is important to maintain hydration.

Use of acetylsalicylic acid (e.g. aspirin) and non steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (e.g. Ibuprofen) is not recommended.

Dengue hemorrhagic fever (fever, abdominal pain, vomiting, bleeding) is a potentially lethal complication but early clinical diagnosis and careful clinical management increases survival of patients.