Chikungunya back again

By Nadia Fazlulhaq

With eighteen cases of chikungunya reported last week from Matale district and the number of dengue patients on the rise, health officials warn the public to be watchful of their immediate surroundings and use preventive methods which discourage mosquito breeding.

Health Ministry Epidemiology Unit Deputy Director Dr. Paba Palihawadana confirmed that the cases reported from Matale were chikungunya infected. “It is difficult to say that the disease was brought by travellers coming from south India. There is a greater possibility that there are mosquitoes in the country harbouring the infection from the outbreak, which occurred last year. Especially with the climate changes these mosquitoes which carry the infection, breed and this situation could spread to other parts of the country,” she said.

Dr. Palihawadana said the Health Ministry was conducting public awareness programmes, anti-dengue campaigns on basic prevention methods and providing hospitals with guidelines on treatment. “Both diseases are spread by the Aedes mosquitoes and the symptoms are quite similar. There are times when chikungunya is misdiagnosed as dengue. But dengue is more deadly, so quick treatment is essential,” she said. These mosquitoes become infected when they bite a person infected with chikungunya virus. Infected mosquitoes can then spread the virus to other humans when they bite them.