COLOMBO: Over 15,000 Dengue fever cases have been reported in Sri Lanka in 2024 so far along with five deaths, the National Dengue Control Unit (NDCU) on Friday said.
According to the latest update by the NDCU, 10,417 cases were reported in January while 4,996 cases in the month of February so far.
The Western Province of the country accounts for the highest number of 5,275 cases, followed by the Northern Province with 3,657 cases.
According to the NDCU, last year, 88,000 dengue cases were reported with a death toll of 57.
Dengue, commonly prevalent in South Asia during the June-to-September monsoon season, is spread by the Aedes aegypti mosquito thriving in stagnant water. Dengue was first recorded in the 1960s.
This mosquito, known for causing breakbone fever because of severe muscle and joint pains, has shown a capability to breed in various environments, including clean water and saline seawater.
The dengue in Sri Lanka is part of the tropical disease in the country and is not a native disease to Sri Lanka.
Now days dengue has become a major public health issue. Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus are both mosquito species found in Sri Lanka.
Despite the absence of a specific vaccine or drug for dengue, early detection and proper medical care can significantly reduce mortality to less than 1% of those infected.
