Sri Lanka takes urgent measures to avert dengue epidemic

Sri Lanka is likely to face a dengue epidemic if the number of infected patients continues to rise, health ministry officials here said on Wednesday.

A total of 48,000 people have been infected with dengue so far this year, with 76 deaths reported, compared to the 30,000 infected last year with 54 deaths.

The health ministry said that urgent preventive measures have already been put in place in order to avoid an epidemic.

"The numbers are much higher this year. This is mainly due to the floods in June. We are trying our best to control the situation," Health Ministry officials told Xinhua.

The western province has been the worst hit with 49.48 percent affected. Kalmunai city in the northern province also has been severely affected due to continuous showers.

The Health Ministry is also mulling hiking the penalty imposed on dengue breeding places in order to keep the environment healthy and free from dengue.

--IANS

soni/ahm/dg