Sri Lanka is employing drones to combat a severe dengue fever outbreak, attributing the surge in infections to a cyclone that created new mosquito breeding grounds. The government has mobilized the military to use drones to scan rooftops of homes, schools, and construction sites, complementing physical inspections by police officers.
This initiative comes as the nation grapples with over 77,000 dengue cases and 56 fatalities this year alone. Health officials report that nearly 11,000 mosquito breeding sites have been cleared this month, with over 4,000 premises fined for harboring such sites. The outbreak is particularly concentrated in urban areas, including the capital city, Colombo.
Hospitals are struggling to cope with the influx of patients, having added beds and extended work hours. Public health workers are reportedly "stretched to their limit," according to Kannangara from the National Dengue Control Unit. He noted that the high number of patients are presenting with severe cases, with approximately 75% linked to a more virulent dengue strain. Due to capacity constraints, doctors are advising patients with milder symptoms to recuperate at home.
While authorities are considering the use of a dengue vaccine, health experts have expressed skepticism about the feasibility of developing one due to the existence of four distinct strains of the virus.