Chikungunya and dengue have now reached epidemic levels in Sri Lanka and continue to spread across several districts, senior medical specialists at the Sri Lanka Medical Association (SLMA) said yesterday.
Chikungunya, had been relatively rare in recent years but there has been a resurgence this year, said SLMA doctors. As of mid-May, 173 cases were reported from sentinel sites in the districts of Colombo, Gampaha and Kandy.
Specific areas within these districts, such as Kadawatha, Gothatuwa, Battaramulla, and other crowded localities in Gampaha, have been flagged as high-risk zones. According to the National Dengue Control Unit, over 23,300 dengue cases have been recorded nationwide this year.
Consultant Physician Dr .Ananda Wijewickrama told a media briefing at the Sri Lanka Medical Association (SLMA) headquarters in Colombo that both diseases are transmitted by the same mosquito and that early symptoms are nearly identical.
“Chikungunya patients should avoid taking painkillers on their own, as it could be harmful,” said Dr. Wijewickrama, “The most important treatment is complete rest and plenty of fluids.”
Health authorities have reported a rising number of chikungunya cases, especially in the Gampaha and Kalutara districts. The mosquitoes responsible for spreading these diseases breed in clean, stagnant water and tend to bite aggressively in the early mornings and late afternoons — posing a higher risk in urban areas.
SLMA President Dr. Suranatha Perera said that a large number of children are suffering from chikungunya. “The disease can cause severe joint pain, especially among the elderly, and those above 65 years are particularly affected,” he said.
Pregnant mothers, too, were called upon to take extra precautions. “If a mother contracts chikungunya close to her delivery date, her newborn could also get infected within days after birth,” Dr. Perera said.
“Therefore, pregnant women should wear protective clothing and take all steps to avoid mosquito bites, especially during dusk and dawn.”
He also said that a mosquito that bites a chikungunya patient within 10 days of the illness, can spread the virus to others.
Dr. Wijewickrama said that chikungunya can affect vital organs including the heart, liver and brain. “Children under the age of one are particularly vulnerable, and the impact on their internal organs can be serious,” he said. Consultant Community Physician at the National Dengue Control Unit, Dr. Anoja Dheerasinghe emphasized the importance of public awareness and preventive action as the country faces the growing threat.
