Dengue
Synopsis of Findings from Recent Studies on Dengue in Sri Lanka
S.A.M. Kularatnea*, S.L. Seneviratneb* , G.N. Malavigec*, S. Fernandoc, V.G.N.S. Velathanthiric, P Ranatungad, E.S. Wijewickramae, P.N. Gurugamaf, .K. D.H. Karunatilakad, J.G. Aaskovg and S.D. Jayaratnee a Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Peradeniya University, Peradeniya, Sri Lanka b Department of Clinical Immunology, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, UK d c
Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Sri Jayewardenapura, Sri Lanka Lady Ridgeway Hospital for Children, Colombo 8, Sri Lanka e f
Colombo South Teaching Hospital, Kalubowila, Sri Lanka g Professorial Medical Unit, Teaching Hospital, Peradeniya, Kandy, Sri Lanka Arbovirus Reference Centre, Queensland, Australia
Abstract
The pattern of dengue in Sri Lanka changed after 1989, with an exponential increase in the incidence of DHF. In 2004, a major epidemic of dengue infection occurred in Sri Lanka, which accounted for 15 457 cases and 88 deaths. The findings from recent studies on dengue are outlined here, which highlight the implications with regard to the management and control of this infection in the country.
Keywords: Dengue, adults, children, Sri Lanka.
Introduction
Dengue is the most prevalent mosquito-borne viral infection worldwide. Around 100 million cases of dengue fever (DF) and half a million cases of dengue haemorrhagic fever (DHF) are estimated to occur annually.[1] The pattern of dengue changed in Sri Lanka after 1989, with an exponential increase in the incidence of DHF.[2,3,4,5] Before this, DHF was rare, despite circulation of more than one dengue virus serotype. Subsequently, the pattern of the severe type of disease changed and regular epidemics of DHF have since been reported.
Similar trends are also present in some other countries of the Indian subcontinent. The number of cases of dengue reported and deaths due to dengue in Sri Lanka from 1985 to
S.A.M. Kularatnea*, S.L. Seneviratneb* , G.N. Malavigec*, S. Fernandoc, V.G.N.S. Velathanthiric, P Ranatungad, E.S. Wijewickramae, P.N. Gurugamaf, .K. D.H. Karunatilakad, J.G. Aaskovg and S.D. Jayaratnee a Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Peradeniya University, Peradeniya, Sri Lanka b Department of Clinical Immunology, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, UK d c
Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Sri Jayewardenapura, Sri Lanka Lady Ridgeway Hospital for Children, Colombo 8, Sri Lanka e f
Colombo South Teaching Hospital, Kalubowila, Sri Lanka g Professorial Medical Unit, Teaching Hospital, Peradeniya, Kandy, Sri Lanka Arbovirus Reference Centre, Queensland, Australia
Abstract
The pattern of dengue in Sri Lanka changed after 1989, with an exponential increase in the incidence of DHF. In 2004, a major epidemic of dengue infection occurred in Sri Lanka, which accounted for 15 457 cases and 88 deaths. The findings from recent studies on dengue are outlined here, which highlight the implications with regard to the management and control of this infection in the country.
Keywords: Dengue, adults, children, Sri Lanka.
Introduction
Dengue is the most prevalent mosquito-borne viral infection worldwide. Around 100 million cases of dengue fever (DF) and half a million cases of dengue haemorrhagic fever (DHF) are estimated to occur annually.[1] The pattern of dengue changed in Sri Lanka after 1989, with an exponential increase in the incidence of DHF.[2,3,4,5] Before this, DHF was rare, despite circulation of more than one dengue virus serotype. Subsequently, the pattern of the severe type of disease changed and regular epidemics of DHF have since been reported.
Similar trends are also present in some other countries of the Indian subcontinent. The number of cases of dengue reported and deaths due to dengue in Sri Lanka from 1985 to