Health officials warn of return of A H1N1 influenza

Health authorities are warning of a possible return of the A H1N1 influenza.

Health Services Director General J.M.W. Jayasundara Bandara told the Sunday Times the country had just recovered from the A H1N1 flu and there could be a possible comeback of the flu. He assured the general public that necessary precautions were being taken. “With the mobility of people the disease is most likely to travel around. We are probably going through the incubation period which is the period between exposure to an infection and the appearance of the first symptoms,” he explained.

Dr. Jayasundara Bandara urged the people to take necessary precautions such as maintaining hygiene at all times. He said infants, pregnant mothers and those who were suffering from chronic diseases were in the vulner- able group and should be protected.

He said the airport surveillance system had been put on alert and passengers were advised to report to the help desk if they had symptoms of the flu.

Dr. Samitha Ginige, Consultant Epidemiologist of the Ministry of Health, said the influenza was prevalent in the South-East Asian region and at present India was facing an outbreak.

“Some 20 hospitals islandwide have the surveillance system in place and we are prepared even if an outbreak hits the country,” he said.

Dr. Palitha Karunapema, Director of the Quarantine Unit, said so far no passenger had reported to the help desk but if a passenger turned up, he or she would be subjected to a health check by medical officers at the desk.