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SRI LANKA-HEALTH-DENGUE
41 dead, over 36,000 infected by dengue in Sri Lanka
COLOMBO, Aug 24, 2018 (BSS/XINHUA) – Sri Lanka’s Epidemiology Unit on
Friday said 41 people had died and over 36,000 patients infected by dengue
across Sri Lanka till August this year.
So far in August, 1,075 patients have been diagnosed with dengue across
the island while 6,221 patients were reported last month.
According to epidemiologists, the highest number of dengue cases this year
totaling 6,937 had been reported from capital Colombo while the second
highest number of 4,156 was reported from the eastern district of Batticaloa.
The third highest number of 3,619 was reported from Gampaha, in the
outskirts of Colombo.
The National Dengue Control Unit last month warned there was an increase
in the number of dengue patients this year due to the active southwest
monsoon rains.
As a result, the National Dengue Control Unit said it had launched special
programs to eradicate dengue breeding grounds in several districts, including
the north and east, which were identified as the most vulnerable districts.
People are urged to seek immediate medical attention if they suffered from
high fever, uncontrolled vomiting, abdominal pain, dizziness and reduced
urinary.
Over 300 people were killed and more than 136,000 infected by the dengue
epidemic last year in one of the country’s worst-ever outbreaks of the
disease in recent years.
BSS/XINHUA/SSS/1716 hrs