Sri Lanka: Chikungunya raising its head again?

[Sally Furniss]

Chikungunya raising its head again?


By Sumaiya Rizvi

Isolated cases of Chikungunya have been reported from Colombo and other parts of the country due to the prevailing weather conditions, Health Ministry Chief Epidemiologist M. R.N. Abeysinghe said.

“I don’t term it as an outbreak, but there have been several cases reported,” Dr. Abeysinghe said adding that the Epidemiology Unit expected a re-emergence of Chikungunya considering the change in the weather pattern.

However Dr. Abeysinghe said he did not expect a significant rise in the number of patients in the coming weeks.

“Chikungunya is a viral fever transmitted to humans by infected mosquitoes. The infection can cause fever, severe joint pains and skin rash. Other symptoms may include headache, photophobia (pain to the eyes due to light), fatigue and vomiting. The time from infection to illness can be between 2 and 12 days, but is usually 3 to 7 days,” he said.

No vaccine or specific antiviral treatment for Chikungunya fever is available and the best treatment is to rest, have fluids, and take paracetamol. Aspirin should be avoided during the acute stages of the illness, Health Ministry Secretary Dr. Athula Kahadaliyanage said.

He also said the best way to avoid contracting the fever is to cleanup mosquito breeding sites and also prevent mosquito bites by using mosquito repellents, mosquito coils or protective clothing.

http://www.dailymirror.lk/DM_BLOG/Sections/frmNewsDetailView.aspx?ARTID=8373

 

[Sally Furniss]

Re: Sri Lanka: Chikungunya raising its head again?

Chikungunya in Kuruwita


By Ranjan Kasthuri.

Chikungunya is fast spreading in the Kuruwita - Erathna area, according to reports.

Provincial Director of Health Dr. Kapila Kannangara said that nearly 150 patients were found with Chikungunya in the area.

He said it was confirmed that the Chikungunya virus was present in the blood samples that had been sent to the Colombo Medical Research Institute for testing.

He added that steps were being taken to control the disease and the public were advised to clean the places where mosquitoes could breed.

http://www.dailymirror.lk/DM_BLOG/Sections/frmNewsDetailView.aspx?ARTID=8552

 

[Sally Furniss]

Re: Sri Lanka: Chikungunya raising its head again?

150 suspected chikungunya cases in Deraniyagala

Deraniyagala roving correspondent
The people of Deraniyagala have been warned about the spread of chikungunya in the area.
About 150 are suspected to have contracted this disease, said Dr. A. N. Palinda Karunatilleke, DMO, Eratne Rural Hospital. Dr. Karunatilleke has informed the Public Health Inspector to create an awareness among the public about this disease.
The spread of this fever is attributed to the insanitary conditions in certain estate line rooms.



http://www.dailynews.lk/2008/03/13/news13.asp

 

[Malcolm]

Re: Sri Lanka: Chikungunya raising its head again?

http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2008-03/30/content_7883448.htm

Viral flu hits Sri Lankan troops in northern war zone


COLOMBO, March 30 (Xinhua) -- A new crisis has erupted in Sri Lanka's northern war zone with a virtual epidemic of dengue and chikungunya viral fever among troops due to the heavy rains and resultant floods, said a leading local newspaper on Sunday.

The Sunday Times disclosed that about 500 troops affected by the viral flu were being treated at hospitals in the Anuradhapura district.

Health officials said the crisis had arisen one month ago and health education and viral flu prevention activities were conducted in the affected areas and mosquito nets being widely distributed.

Anuradhapura Teaching Hospital Director Sarath Weerabandara said the outbreak began when unexpected heavy rains hit the area including the war zones.

He said blood samples had confirmed that the virus was largely chikungunya.

Government troops are currently engaged in three different fronts against Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) rebels in the north.

The fighting has intensified in the northern battle theater after the government's announcement in mid-January to withdraw from the 2002 Norwegian-backed ceasefire with the LTTE.

The LTTE has been fighting the troops since the mid-1980s to carve out a separate homeland for the Tamil minority in the north and east, resulting in the death of more than 70,000 people.

 

[Shiloh]

Re: Sri Lanka: Chikungunya raising its head again?

Source: http://www.dailymirror.lk/DM_BLOG/Sections/frmNewsDetailView.aspx?ARTID=12591

Ministry stalls spread of Chikungunya


Health authorities have taken prompt action to stall the spread of Chikungunya in Eheliyagoda on the instructions of Healthcare and Nutrition Minister Nimal Siripala De Silva, a ministry spokesman said.

The attention of the Minister had been drawn to the sharp increase of the new cases of Chikungunya reported from the Ratnapura district in the last few days, he said. Blood tests carried out by a medical team sent to Ratnapura on Monday have detected 75 new Chikungunya cases and measures were taken to provide the patients immediate hospital treatment.

A discussion held at the Ratnapura DDHS office chaired by Minister De Silva had revealed that there was a sharp increase of Chikungunya in Kuruwita, Kiriella and Eheliyagoda.

The Minister had instructed relevant authorities to have house to house surveillance conducted in these areas and to take preventive measures including the destruction of mosquito breeding places and fumigation of mosquito prone environs.

Minister De Silva has instructed his officials to send extra stocks of drugs, health workers and doctors to Ratnapura, he added.

S.A.J.

 

[Shiloh]

Re: Sri Lanka: Chikungunya raising its head again?

Source: http://www.dailynews.lk/2008/04/26/news23.asp

Saturday, 26 April 2008

Chikungunya affects over 2,000 Ratnapura families
Nadira GUNATILLEKE

Over 2,000 families in three areas in the Ratnapura district have been affected by Chikungunya while 500 patients with fever sought treatment at the Eheliyagoda hospital last Thursday, Healthcare and Nutrition Ministry spokesman said.

The Ministry also warned of possible outbreaks of diseases like dengue, malaria and filaria following the rains the country is experiencing.

He said the Ministry has made arrangements to control the outbreak under the direction of Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva.

?The Ministry alone cannot control any outbreak without public cooperation. Sixty eight blood samples out of 75 collected from the patients in Eheliyagoda, Kiriella and Kuruwita tested positive for Chikungunya,? the spokesman said.

The Ministry has sent drugs, vehicles and doctors to Eheliyagoda hospital. Doctors from the Epidemiology Unit, Colombo, Medical Research Institute, Colombo and Malaria Control Programme are included in the team now in the affected areas.

According to the spokesman, the Ministry has already taken steps to control the very high mosquito density in the affected area and commenced fogging yesterday. Apart from fogging, the Ministry launched an awareness campaign covering all homes through PHIs on the importance of destroying mosquito breeding places.

Ratnapura district is severely affected by diseases spread by mosquitos as it has a large number of abandoned gem mines while the number of mines used to dig soil to produce bricks are also significantly high.

 

[Shiloh]

Re: Sri Lanka: Chikungunya raising its head again?

Source: http://www.dailymirror.lk/DM_BLOG/Sections/frmNewsDetailView.aspx?ARTID=13170

Tuesday, April 29, 2008

Chikungunya spreading to other districts


Health experts fear it is only a matter of time before the Chikungunya epidemic that has crippled Ratnapura and Kalutara areas will spread out to other districts.

?The Chikungunya is a viral infection which spreads from Aedes albopictus, a vector that is found in abundance in rural Sri Lanka. Therefore, it is a matter of time before it spreads to other areas,? Health Ministry Epidemiology Unit Chief Epidemiologist, Dr. Nihal Abeysinghe said.

According to data from the Epidemiology Unit the disease is raising its head in Anuradhapura, Kegalle and Colombo also.

He stressed that the reason for the rampant spread of Chikungunya was the natural lack of immunity among Sri Lankans to the disease, as it is an ?imported disease.??The disease is self-limiting. There is no specific treatment or vaccine for Chikungunya; patients are only treated for their symptoms.

To avoid further spreading, patients who have contracted the infection should be protected from mosquito bites especially from Aedes species within the first 4 days of onset. The Aedes mosquito?s feeding time is during 5 a.m. to 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.,? he added.

He noted that until persons have acquired the immunity it was not possible to halt the spread of the disease. ?Once a person contracts Chikungunya they are immune for life,? he said.

Dr. Abeysinghe added there were no ?identified high risk areas? for Chikungunya that might assist the disease control efforts.

According to Health Ministry, Public Health Services Director General, Dr. Maheepala Herath, steps were being taken to strengthen the public health infrastructure in the badly affected areas.

?We have sent two medical offices from the Ratnapura hospital to the Eheliyagoda hospital where 8 medical officers claimed to be ill. Since the disease doesn?t cause death but only debility, a lot of cases can be handled at the OPD level and admissions will be minimized.

?There are several measures taken to strengthen the hospital services based on the specific requirements in each hospital. For example we have assigned nursing pupils from the Nursing Training Centre as helping hands to the Ratnapura hospital,? he said.

However, according to Ratnapura Regional Health Director, the heavy flooding has prevented many patients from coming to the hospitals.

However, 250 patients were reported in the Ranwelle hospital in Weligapola. PW

Graphic:
http://www.dailymirror.lk/DM_BLOG/ArticleImages/etc0nd3phhwmwsysgpsdoj45_07.gif

 

[Shiloh]

Re: Sri Lanka: Chikungunya raising its head again?

Source: http://www.sundaytimes.lk/080504/News/news0014.html

Sunday May 4, 2008
Health hazards ride on wave of flooding

* Residents in affected areas alerted to dangers of water-borne diseases

By Nadia Fazlulhaq

The recent floods, which have affected some 70,000 persons, have brought in their wake the inevitable problem of mosquito- and water-borne diseases. According to the Disaster Management Centre, last week?s floods have affected a total of 67,035 persons and caused 10 deaths.

About 6,000 displaced persons are being presently housed in IDP (internally displaced persons) camps. Keerthi Ekanayake, national co-ordinator for the Disaster Management Centre, provided a breakdown of figures for those most seriously affected by floods: in Colombo 15,664 persons from 3,917 families; in Gampaha, 26,797 persons from 5,382 families; in Kegalle, 4,425 persons from 857 families; in Ratnapura 17,180 persons from 4,382 families, and in Kalutara 2,969 persons from 716 families.

More than 6,000 people are being given temporary shelter in IDP camps in Ratnapura, Kalutara, Gampaha, Colombo, Puttalam, Kegalle and Nuwara Eliya. Ten deaths were reported in Kalutara, Ratnapura, Gampaha and Yatiyantota, and the number of houses damaged totalled 218.

Although waters have receded in most flood-hit areas, many areas are under threat of the Chikungunya virus (CHIKV). Laboratory tests show that 85 per cent of blood samples taken from residents in the flood-hit areas carried the virus.

According to Dr. Kapila Kannangara, director of health for Sabaragamuwa province, the Ratnapura district alone accounted for more than 15,000 cases of fever following the heavy rains.

?We still cannot exactly gauge the impact of the floods, but can expect an increase in incidents of certain diseases over the next couple of weeks. Officers of the 27 Ministry of Health areas have taken action to control the spread of the disease.?

Dr. Kannangara said the Aedes albopictus mosquito, which is responsible for spreading Chikungunya, tended to breed in jungle areas and natural water pools. ?In Ratnapura, uncompleted and abandoned gem pits are excellent breeding spots, as well as areas where flood water stagnate,? he said.

Dr. Ananda Jayalal, director at the Ratnapura General Hospital, said the viral fever seems to be under control in the Ratnapura area, but the impact of the recent floods had yet to be felt.?The flood waters are receding in Ratnapura, but there?s a risk of water and mosquito-borne diseases. Besides Chikungunya, we have also seen an increase in cases of diarrhoea, hepatitis and typhoid fever.?

Dr. Nihal Abeysinghe, chief epidemiologist at the Health Ministry, told The Sunday Times that the majority of the population was not immune to the Chikungunya virus and that an outbreak of Chikungunya cases may be expected in the near future.

?A number of cases were reported from the Eheliyagoda, Eratne, Kuruwita, Godahawela and Kiriella areas in the Ratnapura district. There are also fears of an outbreak in Anuradhapura and Kandy.?

 

[Shiloh]

Re: Sri Lanka: Chikungunya raising its head again?

Source: http://www.lankaeverything.com/vinews/srilanka/20080528123309.php

Emergency status declared in Rathnapura area due to chikungunya epidemic.
28-05-2008

Government has declared emergency status in Rathnapura area as chikungunya epidemic spreads.

It was declared at a special meeting held at Ratnapura district secretariat under the patronage of Chief Minister Maheepala Herath.

Curbing the viral fever has become a problem due to the rainy weather condition prevailing in the district. District Secretariat Malini Premarathne the decision was taken under the guidance of the president.

Accordingly, measures have been taken to distribute dry rations to each disease stricken Samurdi recipient families.

 

[sharon sanders]

Re: Sri Lanka: Chikungunya raising its head again?

<table border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="2" width="90%"><tbody><tr><td>Measures taken to prevent water borne diseases spreading<input name="txtArtID" id="txtArtID" value="16720" type="hidden">

</td> </tr> <tr> <td> </td> </tr> <tr> <td>By Sandun A Jayasekera
Healthcare and Nutrition Minister Nimal Siripala De Silva yesterday instructed his officials to take precautionary measures to prevent a possible outbreak of water ? borne diseases following torrential rains in the country, Ministry spokesman W. M. D. Wanninayaka said.
Minister De Silva yesterday appointed a team of officials headed by Deputy Director General of Health Services Dr. P.G.Mahipala to monitor the preventive healthcare services in Colombo, Ratnapura, Kegalle, Gampaha, Kalutara, Galle and Matara, where the incessant rains and floods had wreaked havoc, he said.
?The Minister has drawn special attention to this situation in Ratnapura as the district is worst affected by the floods. The district has also been identified as one easily vulnerable to communicable diseases with an epidemic of chikungunya already devastating the district,? Wanninayaka said.
A monitoring unit had been set up at the ministry to keep an eye on the health situation of each district and MOHs and PHIs are required to dispatch daily health reports to the unit. Health workers including Entomologists from the MRI will visit houses, trade stalls and eating houses to advise on protective measures and personal hygiene to prevent the spread of water - borne diseases, he said.
The objective of this exercise is to prevent an outbreak of water ? borne diseases such as dengue, chikungunya, diarrhoea and respiratory ailments which are common place after floods, he added.



http://www.dailymirror.lk/DM_BLOG/Sections/frmNewsDetailView.aspx?ARTID=16720


</td></tr></tbody></table>

 

[Shiloh]

Re: Sri Lanka: Chikungunya raising its head again?

Source: http://www.dailynews.lk/2008/06/09/news22.asp

Govt takes prompt action to provide medical personnel for chikungunya patients

B. W. Eheliyagoda, Kegalle special corr.

The Ministry of Health Services has taken prompt action to provide sufficient doctors and nurses to treat and to attend to the hundreds of patients suffering from 'chikungunya', in the Ratnapura district.

These medical personnel were sent to Ratnapura General Hospital where a large number of 'chikungunya' patients have been hospitalised, according to reports. In addition to chikungunya, there are patients said to be suffering from a virus fever. The Ministry has sent 50 doctors and 60 nurses with immediate effect.

At a meeting held at Ratnapura hospital chaired by the Minister of Health, where Doctors and Public Health Officers in Ratnapura district and a number of healthcare workers were present, it was pointed out that 'chikungunya' has taken an almost epidemic stage owing to the presence of hundreds of abandoned gem-pits in the district which have become breeding grounds for mosquitoes.

It was also pointed out that branches of plantain trees collecting a lot of water at the stems too, have contributed to mosquito breeding, and urgent action is needed to disinfect these mosquito breeding sources and grounds with immediate effect.

Another source revealed at these discussions is that certain kinds of ornamental plants and most flower pots too have become breeding grounds for mosquitoes.

The Ministry of Healthcare with the co-operation of all in the Healthcare Services, the Sabaragamuwa Provincial Council authorities and the public are on the vigil and wide awake to combat 'chikungunya' and the annihilation of all mosquito breeding grounds to prevent the spread of 'chikungunya' further and to cure all those suffering patients from the relevant diseas

 

[Shiloh]

Re: Sri Lanka: Chikungunya raising its head again?

Source: http://www.dailynews.lk/2008/06/09/news16.asp

Chikungunya spreading, PHIs not concerned, say councillors

Kapila Somaratne, Panadura group corr.

PANADURA: Chikungunya is spreading in the Horana, Ingiriya and Palindanuwara areas but Public Health Inspectors are indifferent, alleged councillors of the Horana Pradeshiya Sabha at its monthly meeting.

Chairman Yasapala Koralage presided.

Opposition leader Ranjith Dabare said Chikungunya was spreading in Ingiriya and suburbs and even hospitals were crowded with patients.

The hospitals do not have injection needles and patients have to bring them from private pharmacies, he said.

Chairman Yasapala Koralage said the Pradeshiya Sabha had taken preventive measures by conducting awareness programmes for the people and on fogging campaign was underway.

Dabare said there was a scarecity of Public Health Inspectors.

 

[Shiloh]

Re: Sri Lanka: Chikungunya raising its head again?

Source: http://www.dailynews.lk/2008/06/13/news17.asp

Nearly 35% of land in Ratnapura mosquito breeding grounds

COLOMBO: An abundance of mosquito breeding grounds in nearly 35 per cent of the land mass in the Ratnapura district had been the root cause for the spread of the Chikungunya epidemic in the region in recent times, investigations have revealed.

Urgent action taken by health authorities has helped to contain the Chikungunya virus which spread in epidemic proportions in the Ratnapura District, said the Healthcare and Nutrition Ministry yesterday.

These included the increase in the number of health clinics and concerted action by the Ministry, Sabaragamuwa Provincial Council and all local councils to create public awareness and eradicate mosquito breeding grounds in the district, the release said.

A communique issued by the Healthcare and Nutrition Ministry disclosing this finding said human activities had greatly contributed to this situation.

Investigations made by a group of 60 microbiologists despatched to the Ratnapura district who fanned out to Kuruwita, Kahawatta, Eheliyagoda, Elapatha, Kalawana, Ratnapura, Ayagama, Nivitigala, Kiriella and Godakawela areas revealed in their surveys abandoned gem pits, unsystematic garbage disposal had led to the breeding of mosquitoes in addition to the uncleared breeding places in most homegardens.

Chikungunya rector mosquitoes were found in abundance in most of these mosquito breeding places according to their surveys.

The Ministry release said however the epidemic seemed to be now abating. Whereas 2100 Chikungunya patients were recorded in April. The number of new patients recorded in May was 1400. This further decreased to 400 in late May.

These included public awareness programmes, and legal action against people disregarding instructions to destroy breeding grounds in their premises. So far action has been taken against 30 persons who disregarded such instructions.

 

[Gert van der Hoek]

Re: Sri Lanka: Chikungunya raising its head again?

A mystery fever spreading in Sri Lanka

Thursday, December 25, 2008,

Dec 25, Ratnapura: Creating another health problem in the country, an unidentified mystery fever is spreading throughout the Ratnapura district these days, Sri Lankan health officials said.

According to the Health Director of the Sabaragamuwa Province Dr. Kapila Kannangara most of the patients suffering from this mystery fever have is from the Embilipitiya division, one of a border division in the Ratnapura District.

Health officials said the patients experience high fever with the symptoms of both Chikungunya and dengue, but the illness is not clearly identified yet.

Officials asked the people with high fever in Ratnapura District to report to the nearest government hospital in the area.

http://www.colombopage.com/archive_08/December25162830RA.html

 

[Shiloh]

Re: Sri Lanka: Chikungunya raising its head again?

Source: http://www.colombopage.com/archive_08/December2773800RA.html

Mystery fever cases rising in Sri Lanka
Saturday, December 27, 2008, 7:38 GMT, ColomboPage News Desk, Sri Lanka.

Dec 27, Ratnapura: The number of patients suffering from an unidentified fever in Embilipitiya in Ratnapura District has now risen to 700.

Director of the Sabaragamuwa Health Services, Dr. Kapila Kannangara said the patients? blood samples had already been sent to the Medical Research Institute in Colombo as the health officials in Ratnapura district are unable to verify the exact cause of this mystery fever.

The disease is associated with high fever and shows symptoms similar to both Chikungunya and dengue.

 

[Shiloh]

Re: Sri Lanka: Chikungunya raising its head again?

Source: http://www.nation.lk/2008/12/28/news9.htm

Chikungunya on the march again

700 cases reported from Embilipitiya

By Kushali Atukorale

As fresh Chikungunya epidemic rages in the deep south, the Healthcare Ministry?s Epidemiology Unit requests the people to keep their environment clean as much as possible.

A Consultant of the Epidemiology Unit, who wished to remain anonymous, told The Nation that, it is very important to keep the environment clean since the mosquitoes breed even in the natural places where water is stagnated.

?October to December is the peak months due to the Northeast Monsoon, therefore, people should be more careful and seek medical assistance as soon as they suspect of any symptoms,? the Consultant said.

Meanwhile, speaking about the Chikungunya symptoms, the Consultant said, high fever, severe headache, vomiting, joint and muscle pains are the most common symptoms. He said that nearly 700 Chikungunya patients have been reported from Embilipitiya so far and there is a greater risk of it spreading to areas such as Ratnapura and Hambantota.

He also said that it is very important to seek medical assistance without taking the symptoms for granted or taking self-prescribed medicines. ?Symptoms may look similar to other types of viral flu. Yet, people should be more watchful about their health. It is very necessary for a Chikungunya victim to take rest rather than stressing him or herself, as more than the medicines it is the rest which matters to recover,? the Consultant asserted.

 

[Shiloh]

Re: Sri Lanka: Chikungunya raising its head again?

Source: http://www.dailymirror.lk/DM_BLOG/Sections/frmNewsDetailView.aspx?ARTID=36468

Chikungunya spreads due to monsoon rain


By Sandun A Jayasekera

Chikungunya is spreading in Kalmunai and Embilipitiya areas with the onset of monsoon rains, Epidemiologists said yesterday.

Director, Government Epidemiology Unit, Dr. Prabha Palihawadana said there was an increase of Chikungunya patients in the urban and suburban areas and a significant increase in Kalmunai and Embilipitiya.

?This is a non-fatal vector -born disease. The main culprit is the man himself as he is responsible for creating an ideal environment for the mosquito ?Aedes? the carrier of virus that spread not only Chikungunya but Dengue fever as well to breed,? she said.

It is natural that there is a tendency for the incidence of Chikungunya to increase in the rainy season as empty containers, tyres, kitchen utensils, flower pots etc. filled with rain water become ideal breeding grounds.

Dr. Palihawadana said that the disease restricted to urban areas is now found in urban and semi-urban areas because the public are not much concerned about maintaining a clean environment.

She said the fever spread in the last few weeks in Sevanagala in Embilipitiya has been diagnosed as Chikungunya by the MRI.

 

[Shiloh]

Re: Sri Lanka: Chikungunya raising its head again?

Source: http://www.sundaytimes.lk/090111/News/sundaytimesnews_13.html

Sunday January 11, 2009
Rains aiding return of the dreaded Chikungunya
By Nadia Fazlulhaq

It is feared that the dreaded mosquito-borne Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) is making a comeback after a two-year absence. Reports of people falling victim to Chikungunya are coming in from rural areas.Scattered rains around the country are encouraging the spread of the virus, according to a Health Ministry official.

Dr. Hasitha Tissera, consultant community physician of the Epidemiology Unit of the Ministry of Health, said laboratory tests conducted in November and December last year revealed more than 3,000 cases of CHIKV in four districts: Ratnapura, Moneragala, Ampara and Polonnaruwa.

Dr. Tissera said areas not affected during the 2006 CIHKV outbreak may be vulnerable this time around, because of the current weather conditions, and that people in urban areas where the virus was prevalent in 2006 might enjoy a degree of immunity.

?As a result of the rains, areas not affected in the 2006 may be affected this year,? Dr. Tissera said. ?Because a large number of CHIKV cases were reported in urban areas in 2006, we expect a long-term immunity to help control the spread of the disease.?

?Steps must be taken to stop the disease from spreading,? he said. ?All breeding spots where rain water can collect should be eliminated. Ninety per cent of the breeding of these mosquitoes takes place in man-made receptacles, such as discarded tyres, flower pots, bird baths, broken coconut shells, plastic containers, as well as in blocked drains.

?Only five per cent of the breeding takes place in natural breeding conditions.?

 

[Gert van der Hoek]

Re: Sri Lanka: Chikungunya raising its head again?

Saturday, 10 January 2009

Chikungunya outbreak dwindles

Nadira Gunatilleke

The number of Chikungunya patients reported from Moneragala is 1,300 since the latest outbreak reported in the end of December last year.

The number of patients reported from Embilipitiya in the Ratnapura district is 1,106 while another 200 patients have been reported from Polonnaruwa and the outbreak is now dwindling, Deputy Epidemiologist, Dr. Paba Palihawadana said.

Healthcare and Nutrition Ministry sources said between 300 to 400 patients were reported per day during the first few days of the outbreak. About 3,000 Chikungunya patients have been discovered from affected areas.

Provincial Health Director Dr. Kapila Kannangara said arrangements have been made to destroy all mosquito breeding centres. A card has been issued to all households to conduct weekly monitoring which will be carried out by Public Health Inspectors.

http://www.dailynews.lk/2009/01/10/news23.asp