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Sri Lanka dengue cases double in first 19 weeks; shortage of chemicals weighs
ECONOMYNEXT – Sri Lanka dengue cases have more than doubled in the in the first 19 weeks of 2022 compared to the same period last year due to lack of pesticides and diesel to implement the prevention programs at ground levels , health officials said.
According to the National Dengue Control Unit (NDCU) there has been a rapid increase in the number of young patients reported during the last 8 weeks and is currently active.
The number of dengue cases have jumped to 19,908 by the end of the first 19 weeks of the year, from 9,455 in the same period a year earlier.
The Public Health Inspectors (PHI) Union said, the dengue prevention programs cannot be implemented due to lack of pesticides and diesel for both dengue prevention and transportation.
“We are even unable to do the routine checkups as well, mainly due to the fuel issue,” PHI Union Chairman Upul Rohana told EconomyNext on Thursday (19).
“On the other hand, we are completely out of stock for pesticides in all MOH offices,”
“Therefore we are unable to support the dengue prevention programs that are being implemented by the authorities”
The NDCU’s latest weekly report showed there was a 7 percent increase in the number of dengue patients diagnosed to 1,294 in the country compared to the previous week’s 1,209 with the Western Province accounting for 43 percent.
According to the data, 67 areas were flagged as high-risk areas during week 19. Out of them, 29 areas showed a rising number of cases in week 19 compared to week 18, and another 38 areas show persistently high number of cases in both weeks 18 and 19.
In the week 19, high risk level of Kolonnawa, Kahathuduwa, Mirigama, Tangalle, Mulatiyana, Kopay, Point Pedro, Sandilipay, Mutur, Seruwila, Kurunegala, Pannala, Elapatha, Kegalle and Ruwanwella areas have fallen while Gampaha, Katana, Gangawatakorale, Balapitiya, Weligama, Nallur, Vavuniya, Oddamavadai, Kuchchaveli, Puttalam, Balangoda, Kalmunai North and Sainthamaruthu areas were newly identified as high-risk areas, weekly report said.
The number of cases is expected to increase with the current southwest monsoon rains. (Colombo/ May 19/2022)
Aticle source : economynext.com
Dengue Fever Symptoms
According to data from epidemiology unit of Sri Lanka, the number of total cases recorded for year 2009 is 32713. Most affected district was Kandy. Colombo, Gampaha and Kaluthara districts which have been susceptible in the past have also recorded a high rate of infection and deaths.
- Incubation period is 2-7 days.
- All haemorrhagic fever syndromes begin with abrupt onset of fever (39.5–41ºC) and myalgia.
- Fever is often biphasic with two peaks.
- Fever is associated with frontal or retro-orbital headache lasting 1–7 days, accompanied by generalised macular, blanching rash.
- Initial rash usually fades after 1–2 days.
- Symptoms regress for a day or two then rash reappears in maculopapular, morbilliform pattern, sparing palms and soles of feet. Fever recurs but not as high. There may be desquamation.
- DF cases experience severe bony and myalgic pain in legs, joints and lower back which may last for weeks (hence breakbone fever).
- Nausea, vomiting, cutaneous hyperaesthesia, taste disturbance and anorexia are common.
- Abdominal pain may occur and if severe suggests DHF pattern.The signs of dengue fever/ Dengue haemorrhagic fever are- High fever, rash, hypotension and narrow pulse pressure, poor capillary refill.
- There may be hepatomegaly and lymphadenopathy.
- A tourniquet placed on an arm may induce petechiae in early DHF cases. DHF sufferers exhibit a bleeding tendency as evidenced by petechiae, purpura, epistaxis, gum bleeding, GI haemorrhage and menorrhagia. There may be pleural effusion, ascites and pericarditis due to plasma leakage.
- Petechiae are best visualised in the axillae.
- Flushing of head and neck.
- Tender muscles on palpation.
- Periorbital oedema and proteinuria may be present.
- Maculopathy and retinal haemorrhages may also occur.
- DSS pattern cases progress through DHF until profound shock due to severe hypotension is present.
- CNS involvement e.g. encephalopathy, coma, convulsions.
- Hepatic failure: Means failure of the liver
- Encephalopathy: Means damage to the brain causing fits, loss of consciousness and confusion- Myocarditis – Inflamation of heart muscles
- Disseminated intravascular coagulation - Damage to blood vessels and blood cells causing problematic bleeding and clottingDengue can cause death
- Infection may be confirmed by isolation of virus in serum and detection of IgM and IgG antibodies for Dengue by ELISA, monoclonal antibody or haemagglutination
- Molecular diagnostic methods such as reverse-transcriptase-PCR are increasingly being used.
- Chest X-ray may show pleural effusion.
- Nutritious diet and lot of liquids, But avoid red and brown foods and drinks like coffee, chocolate, grapes etc as it may misinterpret vomiting as blood stained vomitus.
- Fever control with paracetamol, tepid sponging and fans. Aspirin should be avoided.
- Need to seek advice from a qualified medical practitioner if fever lasts for more than 2 days
- Hospital managemnt includes intravenous fluid resuscitation with close monitoring. Haemorrhage and shock will require Fresh Frozen Plasma, platelets and blood. Intensive management with inotropes of the shock syndrome may be required in severe DHF/DSS cases.
- Anti-mosquito public health measures such as reducing breeding sites ( flower pots, fish tanks,tires, coconut shells, tins, water collecting plants, gutters which can collect water) and good sewage management
- Insecticides to destroy the larvae
- Mosquito nets can be used during day time as the Aedes mosquitoes is day-biting.
- Mosquita repellents
- There is a bacteria called Bacillus thuringiensis which destroy the mosquito larvea