Director General Of Health Services Dr.Mahipala Has Alerted Sri Lanka Is At Risk Of Spreading Zika Virus Infection

Director General Of Health Services Dr.Palitha Mahipala has stated that there's a high risk of spreading Zika Virus Infection in Sri Lanka as the disease is spreading in Asian Countries like Philippines,Malaysia and Singapore rapidly at present .

Due to this situation Dr.Mahipala had requested the Sri Lankans who are returning from Zika affected countries to inform the health officials at Katunayake International Air Port or the nearest MOH Office regarding your visit to that country and to the doctor if they are suffering from a flue as a precautionary measure to avoid spreading Zika in the country.

Addressing a press briefing held  at Health Education Bureau in Colombo yesterday(19) Director General Of Health Services had requested the pregnant mothers avoid traveling Zika affected countries numbering 72 including South American and Asian Countries to prevent spreading the disease among pregnant mothers in Sri Lanka.

Although Zika Virus Infection which spreads mainly through the Dengue Mosquito "Aedis Aegypti"is not deadly as Dengue ,it will cause serious side affects to pregnant mothers and the new borns of Zika infected mothers are at risk of developing small heads(Microcephaly) he has stated.

Local Health Authorities have decided to check the blood samples of Dengue Patients for Zika Infection as well from now on Dr.Mahipala has further added.