COLOMBO, Nov. 8 (Xinhua) -- Sri Lanka's health ministry on Friday warned of a dengue outbreak in the country as the number of deaths reached 80 till the end of October.
The ministry, quoted in local media reports said that till October, over 60,000 people were affected by the dengue virus with the highest number of cases reported in Colombo district.
The ministry requested the public to take an NS1 test at a state hospital within two days of fever as this helps to diagnose dengue fever accurately and quickly.
Medical experts said the number of deaths recorded so far this year was "alarming" as a total of 58 deaths were reported last year.
Medical experts urged people to seek immediate medical attention if they suffer from high fever, uncontrolled vomiting, abdominal pain, dizziness and reduced urinary.
"All fever patients need rest and should refrain from attending work or school," said epidemiologists, adding that Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever (DHF) can be fatal.
Medical experts further urged pregnant women to seek hospital admission immediately on the first day of fever.
Last year, over 48,000 were affected by the mosquito-borne virus in Sri Lanka, with the National Dengue Control Unit launching several programs to eradicate mosquito's breeding grounds in several districts of the island country.
