Viral flu hits troops in northern war zone

Health officials take speedy action

By Nadia Fazlulhaq

A new crisis has erupted in the northern war zone with a virtual epidemic of dengue and chikungunya viral fever among troops due to the heavy rains and resultant floods, officials said. Military spokesperson Udaya Nanayakkara said urgent measures had been taken to check the epidemic, while other officials disclosed that about 500 troops affected by the viral flu were being treated at hospitals in the Anuradhapura district.

Provincial Health Director Dr. W. Atapattu said the health crisis had arisen one month ago and the victims were being treated at the Anuradhapura, Padaviya and Sampathnuwara hospitals. Dr. Atapattu also said health education and viral flu prevention activities were conducted in the affected areas and mosquito nets being widely distributed.

Other steps are also being taken to check and destroy mosquito breeding sites. An official said the dengue or chikungunya mosquitoes were breeding in various places including discarded cases of shells used in the war.

Anuradhapura Teaching Hospital Director Dr. Sarath Weerabandara said the outbreak began when unexpected heavy rains hit the area including the war zones. He said blood samples sent to the Medical Research Institute had confirmed that the virus was largely chikungunya.