More than 5500 dengue cases detected so far this month; 60 % from Western Province

By Saman Indrajith

More than 5,500 dengue patients had been reported so far in January 2022, National Dengue Control Unit (NDCU) said. They said that 60% of those cases had been reported from the Western Province.

The Unit said that the number of dengue cases had been increasing since September 2021. 1370 cases were reported in September, 2979 in October, 4,561 in November and 8,096 cases in December were reported.

Head of the NDCU Dr. Nimanka Panilahetti said 5,500 cases were reported so far in January 2022. Apart from the Western Province, large numbers of cases had been detected from Galle and Kurunegala city limits.

The public should help health authorities by cleaning up the places they live in by destroying all mosquito breeding grounds inside and outside the home, she urged.

“In the early stages both dengue and COVID show similar symptoms. Fever, headache and nausea are common to both. Please see a doctor as soon as possible,” she said.