Viral fever accounts for 80 percent of admissions

By Nadia Fazlulhaq

More than 80 percent of patients admitted to hospitals this week were suffering from viral fever as an outbreak of suspected Chikungunya was reported in several areas of the city, according to health officials. National Hospital spokesman Dr. Ajith Kumara said that of the 25-30 patients admitted to a ward, 18 were suffering from viral fever.

“We are not sure whether it is Chikungunya,” he said. Dr. Pradeep Kariyawasam, Chief Medical Officer of the Colombo Municipal Council, said many of the patients in Colombo complained of joint pains, which is a symptom of Chikungunya. He said that in the past years too people would have suffered from this disease though it was not identified as chikungunya. Dr. Kariyawasam said that continuous rain could result in not only chikungunya but also other viral diseases.