News
Seasonal influenza spreading rapidly; 14 deaths
Deaths of 14 people due to a flu have raised concern among health professionals who warn the public to be cautious of a seasonal influenza spreading rapidly.
More than 100 people have been afflicted with the disease in the Ratnapura district alone and have sought treatment in public hospitals.
According to the Medical Research Institute, most samples came from Ratnapura, Kahatuduwa and Kalawana areas in the Ratnapura district and some from Colombo and the suburbs.
In the Colombo district, the high risk areas include Colombo Municipal limits, Dehiwala, Piliyandala and Homagama. In addition, Beruwela and Kalutara have been identified as high risk areas.
Consultant Virologist Jude Jayamaha said the seasonal flu was caused by the Influenza A virus that spreads from April to June and November to January.
The symptoms include high fever, cough, runny/stuffy nose, sore throat, headache, muscle pain, rash and fatigue.
Patients having these symptoms are requested to seek immediate medical attention.
Pregnant woman, the elderly and children have been found to be more vulnerable to the virus.
Those with underlying health problems also can catch the virus soon.
Strangely the Influenza virus failed to appear during Covid pandemic period.
The MRI attributes this to strict sanitary measures and social distancing practices followed during the past two years of the pandemic.
Observing hygienic practices, washing hands, avoiding close contact with infected people and wearing masks will help prevent the disease.
The disease is self limiting and a healthy individual can overcome it in two to three days by taking complete rest and drinking plenty of fluids. However patients with high temperatures should seek medical attention immediately.
However, it can exacerbate in patients with underlying respiratory problems such as difficulty in breathing, asthma and cardiac diseases. It can turn into pneumonia.
Strangely the flu has been confused with the dengue flu that is also spreading wildly in the country.
According to weekly statistics released by the National Dengue Control Unit (NDCU), the numbers infected keep increasing daily.
There has been an increase of 1,302 cases reported last week compared to the previous week shooting up the total figure to 27,454 for the year.
While the NDCU and local councils are carrying out routine inspections on households, collecting plastic containers and carrying out fumigation when necessary, the people have been requested to keep their premises free of mosquito breeding areas .
Households should keep their home gardens and environment free of water puddles and pools, clean their roof gutters and dispose plastic containers responsibly, the NDCU said.
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