Dec 31 Ratnapura: Health officials are to initiate special safety measures to prevent an epidemic of Chikungunya that was reported from Embilipitiya area in Ratnapura District.

Dr. Kapila Kannangara, Health Director of Sabaragamuwa Province said that they hope to commence this process house to house from this morning.

Health officials hope to destroy the places where the mosquitoes are breeding in the area as they suspect the disease is spreading through the mosquitoes.

The most number of patients have been reported from the Emibilipitiya town area and its suburbs of Kollonna and Udawalawa.

According to the officials nearly 3,000 patients are suffering from the disease.