By Pradeep Prasanna Samarakoon

Over 1,000 dengue cases have been reported in the four days that ended on Friday morning (19), Dr. Nalin Ariyaratne, Director, National Dengue Control Unit says. Dr. Ariyaratne told The Island that during the past few days about 400 cases had been reported and from 01 January to 19 May, there had been 35,075 dengue cases.

“Twenty two deaths due to dengue have also been reported. Five of the deaths are from the Western province,” Dr. Ariyaratne said.

About 7,348 cases were reported from the Colombo District, 2,086 from Kalutara, and 7,904 cases from Gampaha.

Dr. Ariyaratne urged people to take precautions to prevent mosquito bites.

Senior Consultant Physician, at the Infectious Diseases Hospital (IDH), Dr. Ananda Wijewickrama said Sri Lanka was facing a major dengue outbreak, with the number of cases already reaching epidemic levels.Dr. Wijewickrama warned that the worst was yet to come. He said that the number of patients were likely to increase in June and July, with the monsoon season.