Over 48,000 dengue cases, 52 deaths this year

A total of 48,303 dengue cases and 52 dengue deaths had been reported countrywide up to December 20 this year, Epidemiology Unit sources said.

According to sources, the highest number of dengue cases, 9,551 had been reported from the Colombo district while the second highest number, 5,408 had been reported from the Gampaha district. The third highest number of dengue cases, 4,727 had been reported from the Batticaloa district.

“The Colombo Municipal Council (CMC) reported a total of 2,359 dengue cases during the same period. Other parts of the Colombo district recorded a total of 7192 dengue cases. The total number of dengue cases reported from the Western Province is 17,844,” epidemiologists said.

Meanwhile, medical experts and Consultants advise the public to seek medical treatment without delay for any type of fever without applying home remedies. “All fever patients need rest and should refrain from attending work or school. Patients are advised to take paracetamol only. Patients should however refrain from taking other medications, especially as Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAID) such as Ibuprofen cause Dengue Haemorrhagic Fever (DHF) which can be fatal,” they said. (www.reliefweb.int)