Dengue outbreak: Over 5,000 cases confirmed from January to March this year

A total of 5,128 dengue fever cases were reported nationally from January 1st to the 23rd of last month.

The Ministry of Health and Medical Services confirmed this and says the surge in dengue fever cases this year is attributed to the heavy rainfall and flooding that have affected the country over the past few months.

As for leptospirosis, 818 cases have been reported during the same period, from January 1st to March 23rd.

Typhoid cases for this time frame stand at 31.

The Ministry says their current approach focuses on effective interventions, which include continuous house-to-house surveillance, larval sampling, application of larvicides to destroy mosquito larvae, and adult mosquito spraying.

They say these efforts are supported by clean-up campaigns to eliminate mosquito breeding sites.

The Ministry of Health is also encouraging the public to pay close attention to advisories related to dengue and leptospirosis, which are being shared across various media platforms.

Health teams continue to carry out awareness programs to educate the public on the necessary preventive measures to stop the spread of dengue fever and safeguard themselves.

They add health inspectors are conducting site inspections, issuing abatement notices, and fining members of the public whose properties show evidence of mosquito presence — an offence under the Public Health Act Cap 111.

The Ministry encourages individuals to educate themselves about dengue fever, implement preventive measures, and seek medical attention promptly if symptoms arise.

They add divisional and subdivisional health teams have also been trained to investigate cases and implement necessary public health prevention and control measures. This includes collaboration with relevant animal health authorities for targeted vector surveillance and control.

The Ministry add leptospirosis cases are expected each year during the rainy season, from October to April, and especially following periods of adverse weather conditions.