Dengue Outbreak Hits Ratnapura Hospital: 147 Staff Infected

COLOMBO (News 1st); A severe dengue outbreak has hit the Ratnapura Teaching Hospital, with 147 staff members, including three doctors, contracting the disease. 

This alarming situation has led to the Ratnapura District being declared a high-risk dengue zone.

Since January this year, 1,311 dengue cases have been reported in the Ratnapura District. Health authorities have identified the Aedes albopictus mosquito as the primary vector spreading the disease in the region.

The distribution of dengue cases within the district is as follows: 376 cases in Ratnapura, 110 in Balangoda, 109 in Kahawatta, and 82 in Kuruwita.

The Sabaragamuwa Provincial Dengue Task Force convened yesterday at the Provincial Council Auditorium to address the crisis.

Dr. Kapila Kannangara, Director of Health Services for the Sabaragamuwa Province, stated that they are witnessing the spread of dengue within the hospital, its surroundings, and other areas such as Eheliyagoda, Kuruwita, Pelmadulla, Alapatha, and Balangoda. 

He noted that when healthcare workers contract the disease, it poses significant challenges to providing medical services. 

However, despite these challenges, authorities have managed to care for patients effectively, and no deaths have been reported so far.