Health officials have raised concerns over a rapid spread of chikungunya in the Matara district, with the outbreak coinciding with a high-risk dengue season.
Nijith Sumanasena, President of the Health Entomology Officers’ Association, said the recent period of continuous rainfall has created conditions favorable for mosquito-borne diseases.
“A disease more severe than dengue is being reported from the Matara area. Controlling it in the current situation is extremely important,” he said, noting that the primary vector for chikungunya is a mosquito species similar to that which transmits dengue.
While previous outbreaks in areas such as Narahenpita and parts of Colombo were successfully contained, the disease has spread in Matara over the past few months.
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