Chikungunya spreads due to monsoon rain

Chikungunya is spreading in Kalmunai and Embilipitiya areas with the onset of monsoon rains, Epidemiologists said yesterday. Director, Government Epidemiology Unit, Dr. Prabha Palihawadana said there was   an increase of Chikungunya patients in the urban and suburban areas  and a significant increase in Kalmunai and Embilipitiya. "This is a non-fatal vector -born disease. The main culprit is the man himself as he is responsible for creating an ideal environment for the mosquito 'Aedes' the carrier of virus that spread not only Chikungunya but Dengue fever as well to breed," she said. It is natural that there is a tendency for the incidence of Chikungunya to increase in the rainy season as empty containers, tyres, kitchen utensils, flower pots etc. filled with rain water become ideal breeding grounds. Dr. Palihawadana said that the disease restricted to urban areas is now found in urban and semi-urban areas because the public are not much concerned about maintaining a clean environment. She said the fever spread in the last few weeks in Sevanagala in Embilipitiya has been diagnosed as Chikungunya by the MRI.