Diseases on the rise in wake of floods

by Bharatha Malawaraarachchi

Health authorities yesterday warned that the number of patients affected by dysentery and dengue had increased over the last few days following torrential rains and flood situations in many parts of the country. The number of patients affected by dysentery has topped 160 while the dengue cases have gone up to 67. The number of dysentery cases islandwide stood at 101 as at last Friday.

"The highest number of dysentery cases are reported from Kurunegala(77) and Matale (32) while Puttalam also had recorded 12 cases," a Ministry spokesman told the Daily News.

Besides, a significant number of cases are reported from Kandy, Dehiwala, Tirncomalee and Hipalogama in Anuradhapura.

Health officials attributed this increase to the pollution of water due to the flood condition experienced during the last week."Excreta has found its way into drinking water leading to high level of pollution," Officials requested the public to drink boiled water only and desist from consuming raw vegetables especially leafy vegetables for some time to prevent the spread of such diseases.

The highest dengue cases were reported from Colombo followed by Matara. Instances of dengue were also reported from Badulla, Kurunegala and Puttalam.

The Healthcare and Nutrition Ministry stressed that an integrated programme has been launched to combat the spread of the disease in the flood affected areas, apart from educating the public.

Earlier, authorities warned of the possibility of water-borne diseases such as bacillary diarrhoea, leptospirosis, jaundice and typhoid in the aftermath of the rainy season.

The Ministry also asked people using well water in the flood affected areas to completely pump out and clean up their wells after floods recede before using them for drinking and other domestic purposes.

The ministry also warned that accumulation of water in pools during the course of receding floods may also cause the spread of mosquito borne diseases such as dengue and filaria and requested the public to ensure that such pools of water are drained out for their safety.