A survey conducted by the Epidemiology Unit of the National Hospital has revealed that Chikungunya is rapidly spreading in Sri Lanka.

A spokesman for the hospital said that more cases have been reported from Eheliyagoda, Kuruwita and Kiriella areas in the Ratnapura District.

A Health Ministry delegation, headed by Deputy Director General of Public Health Dr. Palitha Mahipala visited Ratnapura last week and has collected blood samples from 70 patients. The blood samples have been sent to the Medical Research Institute (MRI) for further investigation, the spokesman said. Meanwhile, realising the danger of the spread of Chikungunya, Health Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva has also instructed his officials to immediately launch islandwide awareness programmes.

It is learnt that the Health Ministry has undertaken to commence awareness programmes and workshops in all the areas coming under the respective Medical Officers of Health (MOH).

The spokesman said that though it was difficult to cure patients with Chikungunya, it was possible to reduce the mosquito density. “There is no other way. Once struck with Chikungunya, it is not easy to cure the patients fully,” the spokesman observed.

According to the spokesman, the Health Ministry is also in the process of receiving fresh reports from Anuradhapura, of a major outbreak of Chikungunya epidemic.

The spokesman said most of the Army soldiers who are on transit in Anuradhapura have contracted Chikungunya. “It is a serious matter. But the Health Ministry is doing everything possible to destroy the mosquito density, for which public support is essential,” the spokesman asserted.