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Dengue cases approach historic highs worldwide
Incidence of dengue virus has soared in 2023 to near historically high levels, the World Health Organization (WHO) reported on Friday, with more than five million cases worldwide and 5,000 deaths from the virus that still lacks an effective treatment or vaccine, Geneva based Health Policy Watch reported yesterday.
It said: Moreover, formerly dengue-free countries in southern Europe, such as France, Italy and Spain, reported local transmission of dengue virus, in what may be a first for Europe.
“Usually, Europe reports imported cases from the Americas, from the Western Pacific, from the endemic regions,” said WHO’s Dr. Diana Rojas Alvarez, speaking at a UN press briefing Friday morning. “But this year we saw limited clusters of autochthonous transmission. As we know, the summers are getting warmer.”
Another growing concern is the fact that dengue outbreaks are occurring in fragile and conflict-affected countries in the eastern Mediterranean region such as Afghanistan, Pakistan, Sudan, Somalia and Yemen.
Close to 80% of dengue cases, however, continue to be reported in the Americas, with the highest proportion of cases in the Caribbean, followed by Brazil and Mexico. The disease is also prevalent in most of Southeast Asia and the Western Pacific region, reported Alvarez.
Warming temperatures have become a leading driver in the increase of dengue transmission, particularly in tropical and sub-tropical climates but also extending at times to more temperate zones such as southern Europe, she stressed.
“Climate change has an impact in dengue transmission because it increases rainfall, humidity and temperature,” said Dr. Alvarez. “These mosquitoes are very sensitive to temperature.”
Transmitted by the Aedes Aegypti mosquito, dengue virus is one of the most widespread vectors borne diseases. Originally harboured by mosquitoes in rural and forested zones, it has also become a major threat in burgeoning urban areas of the global south – where mosquitoes breed in home water containers as well as in the rainwater accumulating in discarded tires and other refuse.
While there is no specific treatment, early diagnosis and supportive care can reduce risks of death. Although most people recover within a couple of weeks, those who have been affected by dengue in the past can become more ill upon re-infection with a second or third bout of the virus. The onset of severe dengue infections can occur even after initial fever has subsided and be accompanied by symptoms such as bleeding gums, stomach pain, vomiting, liver enlargement, leading to severe bleeding or organ impairment, according to WHO.
The 2023 El Niño phenomenon, which has exacerbated the effects of global warming, and along with that, increased rainfall, is another factor in the growing prevalence of the disease, WHO said.
Along with southern Europe, the disease is being seen with increased frequency in southern areas of North America and Latin American countries such as Uruguay as well as mountain areas of Colombia and other regions more than 2000 meters above sea level, where the mosquito previously didn’t thrive. In Africa, 15 countries have reported outbreaks this year, mostly in West Africa, but also Chad and Ethiopia. In the Middle East and South Asia, high levels of rainfall have increased mosquito densities, and consequent risks, in countries such as Bangladesh, Oman and Saudi Arabia.
Adding to the risks are the already wide distribution of the A. Aegypti mosquito vector – including in Europe.
Key interventions for prevention and control include: strengthening surveillance and reporting of cases; and strengthened vector control activities to reduce mosquito breeding grounds, and thus densities, WHO said. Poor water and sanitation and unsafe waste management adds to dengue risks.
In Southeast Asia and the Americas, successful dengue control has often involved community-level identification and bio-control of sites where the mosquitoes breed, including the introduction of harmless predators, including locally-available species of fish or crustaceans that feed on the mosquito larvae, into water reservoirs and water containers.
The U.S. Embassy in Colombo welcomed the U.S. Sports Envoys to Sri Lanka, former National Basketball Association (NBA) and Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) players Stephen Howard and Astou Ndiaye, from June 8 through 14.
The Public Diplomacy section of the U.S. Embassy said that it would launch a weeklong basketball program intended to harness the unifying power of sports, made possible through collaboration with Foundation of Goodness and IImpact Hoop Lab.
While in Sri Lanka, Howard and Ndiaye, both retired professional basketball players, will conduct a weeklong program, Hoops for Hope: Bridging Borders through Basketball. The Sports Envoys will lead basketball clinics and exhibition matches and engage in leadership sessions in Colombo and Southern Province for youth aged 14-18 from Northern, Uva, Eastern and Western Provinces, offering skills and leadership training both on and off the court. The U.S. Envoys will also share their expertise with the Sri Lanka Basketball Federation, national coaches, and players, furthering the development of basketball in the country. Beyond the clinics, they will collaborate with Sri Lankan schoolchildren to take part in a community service project in the Colombo area.
“We are so proud to welcome Stephen and Astou as our Sports Envoys to Sri Lanka, to build on the strong people-to-people connections between the United States and Sri Lanka,” said U.S. Ambassador Julie Chung. “The lessons that will be shared by our Sports Envoys – communication, teamwork, resilience, inclusion, and conflict resolution – are essential for leadership development, community building, equality, and peace. The U.S. Sports Envoy program is a testament to our belief that sports can be a powerful tool in promoting peace and unity.”
SJB Colombo District MP Mujibur Rahuman in parliament demanded to know from the government the reasons for CEB suspending the leave of all its employees until further notice from Thursday.
MP Rahuman said that the CEB has got an acting General Manager anew and the latter yesterday morning issued a circular suspending leave of all CEB employees with immediate effect until further notice.
“We demand that Minister Kanchana Wijesekera should explain this to the House. This circular was issued while this debate on the new Electricity Amendment Bill was pending. There are many who oppose this Bill. The Minister must tell parliament the reason for the urge to cancel the leave of CEB employees,” the MP said.However, Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena prevented Minister Wijesekera responding to the query and said that the matter raised by MP Rahuman was not relevant.
The Chartered Institute of Personnel Management (CIPM) successfully concluded the 8th Annual CIPM Symposium, which took place on 31st May 2024. Themed “Nurturing the Human Element—Redefining HRM in a Rapidly Changing World,” the symposium underscored the pivotal role of human resource management (HRM) in today’s dynamic global landscape. Since its inception in 1959, CIPM has been dedicated to advancing the HR profession through education, professional development, and advocacy, solidifying its position as Sri Lanka’s leading professional body for HRM.
Ken Vijayakumar, the President of the CIPM, graced the occasion as the chief guest. The symposium commenced with the welcome address by the Chairperson, Prof. Arosha Adikaram, followed by the Web Launch of the Symposium Proceedings and Abstract Book by the CIPM President. The event featured distinguished addresses, including a speech by Chief Guest Ken Vijayakumar, President of CIPM, and an address by Guest of Honor Shakthi Ranatunga, Chief Operating Officer of MAS Holdings Pvt. Ltd., Sri Lanka.
The symposium also featured an inspiring keynote address by Prof. Mario Fernando, Professor of Management and Director of the Centre for Cross Cultural Management (CCCM) at the University of Wollongong, Australia.
Vote of Thanks of the inauguration session was delivered by Dr. Dillanjani Weeratunga, Symposium Co-chair.
The symposium served as a comprehensive platform for researchers to present their findings across a wide range of critical topics in HRM. These included Cultural Diversity and Inclusion, Talent Development and Retention, Ethical Leadership and Corporate Social Responsibility, Adapting to Technological Advancements, Mental Health and Well-being at Work, Global Workforce Challenges, Employee Empowerment, and Reskilling and Upskilling.
The plenary session was led by Prof. Wasantha Rajapakse. Certificates were awarded to the best paper presenters during the valedictory session, followed by a vote of thanks delivered by Kamani Perera, Manager of Research and Development.
The annual symposium of CIPM was a truly inclusive event, attracting a diverse audience that spanned undergraduates, graduates, working professionals, research scholars and lecturers. This widespread interest highlights the symposium’s significance in the field of HRM, offering a unique opportunity for everyone to network and learn from scholarly brains.The CIPM International Research Symposium was sponsored by Hambantota International Port, Sri Lanka Institute of Information Technology (SLIIT), E B Creasy & Co. PLC, and Print Xcel Company.
US sports envoys to Lanka to champion youth development
Rahuman questions sudden cancellation of leave of CEB employees
