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1906 malaria outbreak in Ceylon

The 1906 malaria outbreak in Ceylon, was a major malaria outbreak in Ceylon during the early twentieth century. The first cases were reported in the early 1900s but not officially recorded until 1906. Malaria has been prevalent on the island since the 3rd century B.C. Malaria is caused by single-cell microorganisms of Plasmodium group. This disease is commonly spread by the female Anopheles mosquito. Most Anopheles mosquito species are native in Sri Lanka. There are four main mosquito species on the island including: Anopheles culicifacies, Anopheles subpictus, Anopheles annularis and Anopheles varuna.[2]

1906 malaria outbreak in Ceylon
DiseaseMalaria
Parasite strainPlasmodium sp.
First outbreakCeylon
Datesearly 20th Century to 1936
Confirmed casesmore than 4 million (1934-1935)[1]
Deaths
80,000 (1934-1935)[1]
Fatality rate2%[1] (1935)

History

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In pre-colony era there no written records of malaria-related cases in Sri Lanka. Early 13th century small details founded Polonnaruwa Kingdom (1056–1236) as recorded by Buddhist monks write in the chronicle Mahavams. There was no such record of malaria-related cases Anuradhapura Kingdom (377 BC–1017 AD) period but an unclear illness report found from Anuradhapura era written stone inscriptions in Sri Lanka. It never recognizes malaria-related illness. Under the Dutch colony period Dutch Ceylon (1640–1796) located Southern Province (exclude Hambanthota district) in the wet zone reported unknown disease spread. It is called kale una or forest fever. Because most illness reported near forest areas. First official record found in British Colonial period (1796–1948) malaria spread rapidly reaching a major epidemic in 1934 to 1935. It is called "The Great Malaria Epidemic". During that time estimated five million people infected with disease and approximately 80,000 people died.[2] British Government launch project called Anti-Malaria campaign. It started in 1911 but effected in 1934. First Campaign launch located in Kurunagala District.[3]

References

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  1. ^ a b c Wijesundere, Dilkushi Anula; Ramasamy, Ranjan (2017-08-28). "Analysis of Historical Trends and Recent Elimination of Malaria from Sri Lanka and Its Applicability for Malaria Control in Other Countries". Frontiers in Public Health. 5: 212. doi:10.3389/fpubh.2017.00212. ISSN 2296-2565. PMC 5581355. PMID 28894732.
  2. ^ a b Gayan Dharmasiri, A. G.; Perera, A. Yashan; Harishchandra, Jeevanie; Herath, Hemantha; Aravindan, Kandasamy; Jayasooriya, H. T. R.; Ranawaka, Gaya R.; Hewavitharane, Mihirini (2017-08-10). "First record of Anopheles stephensi in Sri Lanka: a potential challenge for prevention of malaria reintroduction". Malaria Journal. 16 (1): 326. doi:10.1186/s12936-017-1977-7. ISSN 1475-2875. PMC 5553605. PMID 28797253.
  3. ^ "Anti Malaria Campaign | Sri Lanka - Anti Malaria Campaign | Sri Lanka". www.malariacampaign.gov.lk. Retrieved 2020-11-28.