By NewsDesk @infectiousdiseasenews
In 2018, Sri Lanka health officials reported 51,659 total dengue fever cases for the year. As of early October 2019, that number has been topped.
The Epidemiology Unit for the Ministry of Health have reported 53,689 cases through Oct. 11.
Colombo (11272), Gampaha (8718), Kalutara (5322) and Galle (5077) districts have reported the most cases.
As of September 20, there were 70 dengue related deaths reported on the island.
Earlier this month, the National Dengue Eradication Unit conducted a three day dengue control program. The program took place in Western, Southern, Sabaragamuwa and Central provinces with the aim of preventing a possible dengue outbreak in near future with rainy condition.
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According to the World Health Organization, the incidence of dengue has grown dramatically around the world in recent decades. A vast majority of cases are asymptomatic and hence the actual numbers of dengue cases are underreported and many cases are misclassified. One estimate indicates 390 million dengue infections per year (95% credible interval 284–528 million), of which 96 million (67–136 million) manifest clinically (with any severity of disease). Another study, of the prevalence of dengue, estimates that 3.9 billion people, in 128 countries, are at risk of infection with dengue viruses.
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