Sri Lanka: 18,279 cases of dengue fever recorded nationwide January-March 2020

Event

According to the Sri Lankan Epidemiology Unit, approximately 18,279 cases of dengue fever have been confirmed nationwide between January and March 2020. A significant decrease was observed in March (1375 cases) relative to January (11,595 cases). The risk of contracting dengue fever has been identified as particularly high in the Colombo, Gampaha, Jaffna, Batticaloa, and Trincomalee districts.

Further spread of the disease is possible over the coming weeks.

Context

Symptoms of dengue fever include fever, headache, muscle and joint pain, fatigue, nausea, and rashes. Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever (DHF) is a potentially deadly complication that is characterized by high fever, the enlargement of the liver, and hemorrhaging.

Advice

Individuals in Sri Lanka are advised to take measures to protect themselves from mosquito bites (e.g. by wearing covering clothing, using insect repellent, and sleeping in a screened-in or air-conditioned room) and to eliminate possible mosquito breeding grounds on their properties (e.g. small pockets of fresh water, such as rainwater that has collected in cans, bottles, tires, flower pots, clogged gutters, etc.).