Dengue outbreak in Sri Lanka highlights deteriorating public health services
By Ajitha Gunaratna
16 June 2004
An island-wide outbreak of dengue fever in Sri Lanka in recent months has underlined the steady deterioration of public health care and preventative measures to contain the disease.
Up to June 8, there had been 4,347 cases officially recorded for the year, including 22 deaths. In May alone, there were 1,532 cases—three times more than for April. Health officials admit that for the first quarter of the year the figure was 40 percent higher than for the corresponding period last year. The capital of Colombo as well as Gampaha, Kandy and Kurunegala districts are among the worst affected areas
Article: http://www.wsws.org/articles/2004/jun2004/deng-j16.shtml