Chikungunya outbreak dwindles

Nadira Gunatilleke

The number of Chikungunya patients reported from Moneragala is 1,300 since the latest outbreak reported in the end of December last year.

The number of patients reported from Embilipitiya in the Ratnapura district is 1,106 while another 200 patients have been reported from Polonnaruwa and the outbreak is now dwindling, Deputy Epidemiologist, Dr. Paba Palihawadana said.

Healthcare and Nutrition Ministry sources said between 300 to 400 patients were reported per day during the first few days of the outbreak. About 3,000 Chikungunya patients have been discovered from affected areas.

Provincial Health Director Dr. Kapila Kannangara said arrangements have been made to destroy all mosquito breeding centres. A card has been issued to all households to conduct weekly monitoring which will be carried out by Public Health Inspectors.