Influenza virus infection
Sri Lanka – Influenza virus infection is spreading very fast in Ratnapura district.
Sabaragamuwa Provincial Health Service Medical Director Dr. Kapila Kannangara said that the Influenza virus is spreading rapidly near the Kalawana area.
He says 14 people have died of influenza since April.
He notes that 11 patients were reported in April, 6 in May, and 103 in June.
Women are the most affected by this disease. According to him, this includes 75 women, 33 men and 12 minors.
All of the victims were over 75 years old
All victims of the flu have been diagnosed as being over 75 years of age.
He says the dead included 11 women and 3 men. It has been identified as Influenza A, said Jude Jayamaha, a specialist in viral infections at the Medical Research Institute.
He also says that the elderly and pregnant mothers are most affected by this disease. He points out that symptoms such as fever, cough and runny nose are caused by the virus.