Sri Lanka Dengue Outbreak Kills 250, Infects 85,000

Dengue cases in S-L increased 4.3 times compared with recent average

Ministry of Health (MoH) Sri Lanka has reported an increase in the number of dengue cases in the country this year. As many as 85,000 dengue cases, including 250 deaths, have been reported by MoH so far  this year (to July 7, 2017). The number of cases this year has reportedly increased by 4.3 times more than the average number of cases for the same period between 2010 and 2016, said WHO.

“The current dengue fever outbreak occurs in a context of massive heavy rains and flooding and is currently affecting 15 out of 25 districts in Sri Lanka where almost 600,000 people have been affected. Heavy monsoon rains, public failure to clear rain-soaked garbage, standing water pools and other potential breeding grounds for mosquito larvae attribute to the higher number of cases reported in urban and suburban areas.”

Risk Assessment (WHO)

Dengue fever is a mosquito-borne viral infection caused by four dengue virus serotypes (DENV-1, DENV-2, DENV-3, and DENV-4). Infection with one serotype provides long-term immunity to the homologous serotype but not to the other serotypes; secondary infections put people at greater risk for severe dengue fever and dengue shock syndrome.

Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus are the vectors widely adapted to urban and suburban environments. Dengue fever is endemic in Sri Lanka, and occurs every year, usually soon after rainfall is optimal for mosquito breeding. However DENV-2 has been identified only in low numbers since 2009 and is reportedly over 50% of current specimens which have been serotyped.

The current dengue epidemic is likely to have repercussions on public health in Sri Lanka.

• Additional information available via FIRE-EARTH PULSARS.

State of Emergency Declared in Hawaii over Mosquitoes

Mosquitoes Become Enemy No. 1 in Hawaii

Hawaii Gov. Ige has declared a state of emergency to prevent the spread of mosquito-borne diseases, like the dengue outbreak on Hawaii Island.

“There have been no locally acquired Zika cases in the U.S. or Hawai‘i, and we’d like to keep it that way,” said Ige in a statement. “This is about getting in front of the situation across the state. I will be coordinating planning efforts with the Hawai‘i Emergency Management Agency, all county mayors and Civil Defense coordinators.”

The Department of Health has identified a new case of dengue fever, bringing the total to 255 since the outbreak began in September 2015. “On Hawai‘i Island, dengue fever cases continue to be fewer and farther between. However, the battle is not over and state continues to focus resources to break the cycle of dengue fever infection and transmission,” officials said.

Dengue Fever and Zika virus (ZIKV) share the same vector, mosquitoes of Aedes species (A. Aegypti & A. albopictus), and public health officials are concerned ZIKV could make its way to the Aloha State.

The same mosquitoes are also responsible for the spread chikungunya viruses.

Aedes aegypti mosquito

Aedes albopictus mosquito

 

FIRE-EARTH expects the Gulf of Mexico Border States to also declare states of emergency over the mosquitoes in the near future.

Related Links

• ZIKV Infection: Local Transmission in United States February 13, 2016
• State of Emergency Declared in Hawaii over Dengue Fever February 9, 2016