Despite some distorted news items which depicted a bleak picture about Dengue, there is no cause for alarm about this disease. 3,500 cases of dengue and 350 deaths were reported in 2009 and due to new treatment methods adopted by the Health Ministry the number of patients and deaths were considerably reduced last year, amounting to 240 deaths.
This was stated by Dr. Priyankara Jayawardene, Resident Consultant Physician of the Health Ministry addressing a media conference at the Information Department this afternoon. The Doctor said that during the last 4 months doctors and the health staff in all hospitals, through work-shops, had been enlightened about the revised improved methods of treatment to dengue patients. He said that these methods were formulated based on experience gained locally and internationally with the cooperation and assistance of the WHO. He said that based on these treatment practices a Guideline has been prepared and will be made available to all hospitals shortly.
Dr. Priyankara said that due to the competitive nature in the educational system, parents send their children suffering from fever by giving Panadol or Paracetamol without allowing them to rest and administering proper treatment and in such instances if the child is affected with Dengue it could become worse and even fatal. Therefore, he appealed to the parents to refrain from this practice and direct their children for hospital treatment when found with having signs of fever. The Dr also said that even Private Sector and Bank employees work long hours disregarding fever and requested they too should obtain proper treatment and take leave or several hours rest when affected with signs of fever.
He also requested not to drink too much water amounting to 5 to 6 litres a day with the belief that it could minimize the dengue threat and said that drinking too much water dilute the mineral contents in the body and should take only the normal intake of water, amounting 2 to 2 ½ Liters.
The Resident Consultant Physician Dr. Ananda Wijewickrema also addressed the Media Conference.
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