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More than 5,000 people in Jaffna have been affected with viral flu that medical authorities suspect to be Chikungunya. So far three deaths have been reported due to the flu and according to medical sources in the peninsula, many more lives are at risk if heavy rains continue.
"The viral flu, suspected to be Chikungunya, is fast spreading to Jaffna town. Last week, more than five people were admitted from the town to the Jaffna Hospital for urgent treatment," District Director for Health Services in Jaffna, Dr. Armugam Ketheswaran told The Morning Leader.
The flu, which began in the villages within the peninsula a month ago, is also fast spreading amongst the women and children in IDP camps. Suffering from malnutrition, more than 2,000 refugees are also currently suffering from symptoms of Chikungunya, which authorities fear has led to an outbreak.
"The only way this disease can be controlled is by keeping the area clean. Due to heavy rains, it is very difficult to control this disease from spreading amongst the people, especially the civilians," Dr. Ketheswaran said.
Eradication programmes have already begun in the peninsula from November 13 and special teams have been deployed to educate the people in keeping the areas clean. Control activities have also begun in many villages within the peninsula and according to Dr. Ketheswaran, leaflets have also been distributed within the schools.
"Many more lives will be at risk if urgent steps are not taken to control the disease. It has already claimed three lives and more than 5,000 are suspected to be affected by it," Dr. Ketheswaran said.
Meanwhile, dengue is also spreading within other districts in the north and east. According to statistics available at the Jaffna Hospital, 150 deaths due to dengue have been reported from Kilinochchi, Trincomalee and Mannar in the past one month.
More than 5,000 people in Jaffna have been affected with viral flu that medical authorities suspect to be Chikungunya. So far three deaths have been reported due to the flu and according to medical sources in the peninsula, many more lives are at risk if heavy rains continue.
"The viral flu, suspected to be Chikungunya, is fast spreading to Jaffna town. Last week, more than five people were admitted from the town to the Jaffna Hospital for urgent treatment," District Director for Health Services in Jaffna, Dr. Armugam Ketheswaran told The Morning Leader.
The flu, which began in the villages within the peninsula a month ago, is also fast spreading amongst the women and children in IDP camps. Suffering from malnutrition, more than 2,000 refugees are also currently suffering from symptoms of Chikungunya, which authorities fear has led to an outbreak.
"The only way this disease can be controlled is by keeping the area clean. Due to heavy rains, it is very difficult to control this disease from spreading amongst the people, especially the civilians," Dr. Ketheswaran said.
Eradication programmes have already begun in the peninsula from November 13 and special teams have been deployed to educate the people in keeping the areas clean. Control activities have also begun in many villages within the peninsula and according to Dr. Ketheswaran, leaflets have also been distributed within the schools.
"Many more lives will be at risk if urgent steps are not taken to control the disease. It has already claimed three lives and more than 5,000 are suspected to be affected by it," Dr. Ketheswaran said.
Meanwhile, dengue is also spreading within other districts in the north and east. According to statistics available at the Jaffna Hospital, 150 deaths due to dengue have been reported from Kilinochchi, Trincomalee and Mannar in the past one month.
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