Deadly virus claims the lives of eight kids

COLOMBO (News 1^st) - Southern Province Education Minister Chandima Rasaputhra says authorities are yet to decided on when to re-open pre-schools and primary schools that were closed due to the spread of viral flu. The Epidemiology Unit says the number of virus flu patients reported from the Southern Province had dropped. Eight children died so far from the virus flu that is spreading across the Southern Province. Director of the Epidemiology Unit, Dr.Anil Dissanayake said a special program is in place to prevent the illness that was first reported from the Southern Province from spreading to the other areas. Reports have not revealed a similar virus flu is spreading across a number of countries. Dr.Dissanayake noted that this is not a disease that came here from another country, but a normal virus flu in the country and no one needs to panic. He added that they see this situation every year and this flu situation is reported twice a year and this time it has become worse. Our inquiries exposed a shocking revelation which is that the Airport does not possess any technology to screen passengers for diseases on arrival. This was confirmed by the Medical Service at the Airport and the Epidemiology Unit of the Ministry of Health.   Dr.Anil Dissanayake claims such fever condition can be experienced whenever there is a rainy season and the situation changes based on the immunization or resistance to an infectious disease on every single individual. He went on to say a person who comes under this virus flu will completely recover within 72 hours. He, however, stressed four categories in society must be kept under watch when they fall ill and they are small children, pregnant mothers, elders above the age of 65 and people who are suffering from longer-term illnesses. Many factions allege the Health Sector is slow in controlling the spread of this virus flu. UPFA Parliamentarian, Mahindananda Aluthgamage stated that it is said the government and the Health Service can face this situation, but they cannot. He said that the Health Ministry is facing a crisis situation at present and that is why the chief epidemiologist resigned and it was due to the pressure from the Minister and the Ministry.