• Public urged to take preventive measures
• Clean drinking water shortage adds to risk

The Public Health Inspectors Union of Sri Lanka has warned that outbreaks of diarrhoea, viral fever, rat fever (leptospirosis), and several other non-communicable diseases could emerge in the coming weeks as many water sources have been contaminated by the recent adverse weather.

Union's Secretary Chamil Muthukuda said that a shortage of clean drinking water has already been reported, while vegetables and fruits have also been contaminated due to the flooding of cultivated areas.

He said that these conditions increase the likelihood of diarrhoea, viral fever and colds that could develop into pneumonia, rat fever, and illnesses such as dengue and other viral infections.

To minimise these risks, Muthukuda urged the public to take several precautions including; boiling water before drinking, taking preventive medication for rat fever before cleaning houses and drains affected by floods, seeking immediate hospital care if symptoms such as fever, muscle pain, dizziness, or fainting appear, and ensuring that those already ill are admitted to hospital as early as possible. He also recommended that people in safety centres wear face masks whenever they can, and wash fruits and vegetables thoroughly with salt water before consuming.

He noted that a public health inspector has been assigned to every safety centre, and any health-related concerns could be directed to them.