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Health authorities warn of viral flu

by Bharatha Malawaraarachchi

Health authorities yesterday warned of an impending viral flu similar to an epidemic - mostly among schoolchildren in the country.

" Parents and school authorities should be more alert about this situation as most of those infected by the flu are schoolchildren between the ages of seven to fourteen," Director of the Lady Ridgeway Hospital for Children Dr. Wimal Jayantha told the Daily News last evening.

High fever, severe headaches and vomiting are the three main symptoms of this flu, said Dr. Jayantha adding that everyday a large number of schoolchildren are admitted to his hospital.

"A large number of children amounting to around 100 are admitted to the hospital for treatment daily," he added.

Dr. Jayantha advised that it is most advisable for parents to seek medical help as the symptoms are mostly similar to meningitis." Also the flu causes dehydration among the infected person. Therefore, they should be given more fluids in that situation," he added.

However, when contacted a senior official of the Epidemiology Department said there is a flu like illness spreading in the country but no major danger has been identified yet." We have no reports about any major dangers such as deaths. But there is a flu like illness which spreads from time to time," he added.

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