88 percent of cases have been caused by the 'Dengue 2' (Dengue 2) virus variant.

The National Dengue Control Unit points out that 88 percent of the dengue patients reported from the island this year have been infected with the 'Dengue 2' virus variant. The low level of immunity against this particular variant in the human body has been a major reason for the spread of the disease.

Dr. Kapila Kannangara, the acting director of the unit, confirms that the total number of dengue patients reported in the country has risen to 75,321 as of July 18.

The number of deaths due to dengue in the current year has increased to 53. It is noteworthy that 37 of these deaths were women. Failure to seek proper medical advice immediately after the onset of symptoms has been a major factor in the rise of female deaths. Medical authorities advise seeking proper treatment as soon as any symptoms appear, as many women continue to engage in household chores without adequate rest even after falling ill, which has exacerbated the risk of mortality.

Dr. Kapila Kannangara emphasizes that trying traditional medicines or home remedies for conditions that can cause serious complications like dengue is an extremely risky act. It is extremely challenging to restore people to normal health who are hospitalized after waiting for symptoms to worsen while using home remedies. Delayed treatment can lead to the failure of essential organs such as the liver and kidneys, and in such severe conditions, it becomes difficult to cure the patient even with medication.

Although there is a slight slowdown in the spread of the disease at present, the overall situation remains at a risky level. In just one day, 843 new dengue patients were reported, and the number of patients identified in July alone was 19,100. At the district level, the highest number of patients has been reported from Gampaha District (15,762), with 15,000 patients from Colombo, 5,280 from Matara, 5,015 from Kandy, and 4,978 from Kalutara. For this reason, health authorities are continuously implementing special dengue control programs.

It is mandatory for pregnant mothers, young children, and elderly individuals to seek immediate medical treatment without delay if they have a fever for more than 24 hours. Others who suffer from fever for more than two days should immediately consult a qualified doctor. The Ministry of Health has also established a special Dengue Operations Center via the number 0117966366 for dengue control and related information.