Abstract:
A descriptive observational study was conducted to identify the
demographic, clinical and laboratory profile along with disease outcome of
all confirmed cases of dengue fever (DF) and dengue hemorrhagic fever
(DHF) admitted in Vavuniya General and Private Hospital. We enrolled 585
patients over a period of three years, beginning from 2007. In 2009, an
increase in dengue cases was first noted in the Vavuniya MOH area and there
were 7 deaths. During 2009, peoples from the northern part of Vavuniya
were displaced to Vavuniya town area due to war. This situation was
suitable for mosquito breeding. Most of the parameters between groups
showed a similar pattern: mean age of 30 years, mean duration of fever 7 days
(range 1-19 days). Mean total white blood cell and platelet counts started to
fall from the second day of fever, with the lowest counts between the 5th and
7th days. Majority of the patients affected with DF. It was noted that the
majority of the patients are affected within age group of the 20-30 years and
25% of them are children. The sex distribution in this study showed that
boys were more sensitive to dengue infection than girls. There is a strong
relationship in dengue incidence cases with Gender and age. When
considering the variable Village it was seen that the risk factors involved in
the areas under study play an important role for transmitting this disease.
There is no specific therapy for dengue infections. Good supportive care may
be lifesaving, but ultimately initiatives aimed at vector control and
prevention of mosquito bites may provide the greatest benefits.
