Health Entomology Officer’s Association President Najith Sumanasena told the Daily News that there is a risk of dengue escalating to an epidemic level yesterday (30).
He revealed that the Breteau Index, which measures dengue mosquito density, currently ranges between 15 and 20, an indication of a potential epidemic situation. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), this index should ideally be maintained at a value of 2, while in Sri Lanka, efforts should focus on keeping it below 5.
Sumanasena stated that the Health Ministry has already implemented various programmes to prevent the spread of dengue to epidemic levels. He further explained that the current darker environmental conditions could lead to changes in mosquito activity patterns, though this is not a permanent shift and is influenced by prevailing weather conditions.
He also noted that while two strains of the dengue virus continue to be reported among patients, the best way to minimise infections is to maintain clean surroundings, making it impossible for mosquitoes to breed.
According to the National Dengue Control Unit, 4,499 dengue cases have been reported within the first 28 days of this year, along with two deaths.
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