Swine flu takes its toll: Mahaweli waters contaminated with wild boar carcasses in Nawalapitiya

• People using the river for drinking, washing, and bathing face contamination risks  

By Shantha Chandrasiri   

The health authorities of the Nawalapitiya Urban Council  expressed concern about any possible health hazard due to the carcasses  of wild boar believed to have died of swine fever floating in a  tributary of Mahaweli River.   

Public Health Inspector of the Urban Council Nuwan  Kekulandara said several carcasses had been afloat in the river at  Halgranoya, Kithulkote and Bachchagama areas for about a month.    He said the carcasses were disposed of by the UC employees  with the help of the residents of the area strictly adhering to the  health guidelines. The PHI said it was a serious issue and that he would  take it up with the Nawalapitiya area PHI D.M.K.J.K.Dasanayake to  prevent any impact on public health.    Meanwhile, Environmentalist Amila Nuwan Jayasekara pointed  out that the decomposed carcasses and parts in water would result in  extensive environmental pollution and a serious health hazard.   

“Wild boar in the jungles in Galaboda, Kotmale and Inguru  Oya area have died, and their carcasses are floating in the rivers. The  people using the river for drinking, washing and bathing are facing a  serious threat. They are using unpurified and untreated water. Thick  jungles in the catchments of Halgranoya are teeming with wild boar.”    “The Department of Animal Production and Health should  focus immediate attention on this major issue and take measures to  prevent any possible danger to public health or else it would develop  into epidemic proportions.”