PM says spread of dengue part of health crisis in Asia

Sri Lanka’s Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe on Friday informed his parliament that the spread of dengue in the island country was part of a health crises looming in Asia.

A report quoting Wickremesinghe said that the spread of dengue in Sri Lanka and the spread of diseases in other Asian countries were a part of one health crisis in the region.

“Diseases such as fever and even bird flu are spreading in Asia, and millions of poultry are being destroyed in South Korea today. And the spread of diseases in Sri Lanka may be a part of this crisis,” Wickremesinghe said. He said his government had taken several measures to control the spread of dengue in Sri Lanka and nearly 800 members from the security forces had been deployed throughout the country to curb the situation.

According to statistics from the Epidemiology Unit of Sri Lanka, over 20,000 people have been infected with dengue within the first three months of this year with 41.38 percent of dengue cases reported from the Western province. Thirteen deaths have also been reported.

The highest numbers of dengue cases were reported during the third week of 2017.

“This situation warrants regular removal of possible mosquito breeding sites from the environment. It is also important to seek medical attention in the event of dengue fever,” the Epidimiology Unit said in a statement.

Earlier this month, at least 66 schools were forced to remain close for three days in the Trincomalee District, in Eastern Sri Lanka due to the spread of dengue.

Source: Xinha

-Agencies