Warning against disease outbreak
 

by Bharatha Malawaraarachchi

Health officials yesterday warned the public to guard against a possible outbreak of epidemic disease in the wake of the current rainy spell and the resultant floods islandwide.

"Already, the Ministry has taken effective measures to control the spread of contagious diseases due to the flood situation experienced in the country,a Ministry spokesman told the Daily News yesterday.

Accordingly, instructions have been sent to the health officials countrywide to be alert to this developing situation and take remedial action. Steps have also been taken to ensure proper treatment countrywide.

"The Ministry's Epidemiological Unit Director Dr. Nihal Abeysinghe has issued a circular containing necessary instructions to Deputy Directors of Health in the flood affected areas," the spokesman added.

Under this circular instructions have been given to appoint committees comprising Public Health Inspectors and to take measures such as chlorinating water in the affected areas and also stressing on the importance of using boiled water.

Officials warned the public to guard against diseases such as diarrhoea, water and bacillus dysentery, malaria etc.

"However, so far no such contagious disease has been reported.

But we are now on alert to the prevailing situation," Dr. Abeysinghe said.