Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Colombo (Agenzia Fides) – Health authorities in Sri Lanka are struggling to stop the spread of one of the worst dengue epidemics that they have suffered until now. According to the Minister of Health, since January 2009, over 15,500 cases resulting in 168 deaths have been registered. The month of June has been the worst, with 6,600 cases of infection via mosquito. In 2004, the previous high-level epidemic, a total of 88 people died, out of 15,000 cases. The health agents gave the warning when they had registered over 2,800 cases, with 7 deaths, between January and April. The virus has spread even more quickly between April and June, registering 11,655 cases, reaching areas of the island that in the past had never registered such high levels. Several observers believe that the virus may have experienced a mutation and that a non-native area has been activated.
The central district of Kandy has been hit hardest, with over 2,200 cases. The coastal region of Colombo, Gampaha, and Kalutara, also heavily hit in the past, has registered a high rate of cases and deaths. According to health experts, over half the people effected are women and children. The mosquito is active during the day and in homes, where the women and children spend their day. The government has taken measures for trying to stop the spread of the disease, promoting disinfection and awareness campaigns. They are also trying to import a bacteria, Bacillus Thuringiensis Israelensis o BTI, which is able to eliminate mosquito larvae. While a complete elimination of dengue from Sri Lanka in the future may not be possible, a well-organized program to control the insect carrier could reduce the number of cases. It is estimated that there are 50 million cases of dengue worldwide every year. As of June 30, Indonesia has registered 67,719 cases with 511 deaths, while in Thailand, there have been 3,496 cases with 5 deaths as of the end of April. (AP) (Agenzia Fides 16/7/2009)
