Sustainable dengue prevention and control through a comprehensive integrated approach: the Sri Lankan perspective.
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Date
2016-09
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
WHO Regional Office for South-East Asia
Abstract
Dengue is a leading public health problem in Sri Lanka. All 26 districts and all
age groups are affected, with high disease transmission; the estimated average
annual incidence is 175/100 000 population. Harnessing the World Health
Organization Global strategy for dengue prevention and control, 2012–2020, Sri
Lanka has pledged in its National Strategic Framework to achieve a mortality from
dengue below 0.1% and to reduce morbidity by 50% (from the average of the
last 5 years) by 2020. Turning points in the country’s dengue-control programme
have been the restructuring and restrategizing of the core functions; this has
involved establishment of a separate dengue-control unit to coordinate integrated
vector management, and creation of a presidential task force. There has been
great progress in disease surveillance, clinical management and vector control.
Enhanced real-time surveillance for early warning allows ample preparedness
for an outbreak. National guidelines with enhanced diagnostics have significantly
improved clinical management of dengue, reducing the case-fatality rate to 0.2%.
Proactive integrated vector management, with multisector partnership, has created
a positive vector-control environment; however, sustaining this momentum is a
challenge. Robust surveillance, evidence-based clinical management, sustainable
vector control and effective communication are key strategies that will be
implemented to achieve set targets. Improved early detection and a standardized
treatment protocol with enhanced diagnostics at all medical care institutions will
lead to further reduction in mortality. Making the maximum effort to minimize
outbreaks through sustainable vector control in the three dimensions of risk
mapping, innovation and risk modification will enable a reduction in morbidity.
Description
Keywords
dengue, dengue epidemic, dengue prevention and control strategies, sustainable integrated dengue control, Sri Lanka
Citation
WHO South-East Asia Journal of Public Health 2016;5(2): 106-112.