Therefore the public should be vigilant for all types of mosquito breeding sites and destroy them on a regular basis. At least 30 minutes per week should be allocated to clean mosquito breeding sites,” one expert said .The Western Province recorded a total of 26,286 dengue cases which is the highest among the provinces.

With the ong-oing rainy conditions expected persist, the Epidemiology Unit has identified five high risk districts. They are Colombo, Gampaha, Kalutara, Ratnapura and Galle districts. Colombo district recorded a total of 11,854 dengue cases which is the highest. The second highest number of cases, 8,976, was reported from the Gampaha district. The third highest number of dengue patients, 5,456, has been reported from the Kalutara district. The highest incidence of dengue cases, numbering 9,459, had been reported in August.

Advice offered by Epidemiology experts:-

• All fever patients need rest and should not attend work or school

• All fever patients should only take Paracetamol as a painkiller and not Aspirin, Ibuprofen, Diclofenac Sodium, Mefenamic Acid,etc which are Non Steroidal Anti Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs) and Steroids such as Prednisolone, Methyl-Prednisolone and Dexamethasone. These drugs cause Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever (DHF) which can become fatal.

• Pregnant mothers should enter hospital on the first day of fever

• Public should seek medical treatment for any type of fever without any delay and without delaying to apply home remedies.