Authorities say they have taken immediate action to prevent chicken pox spreading

Deputy Director General of Health, Dr. Palitha Maheepala told BBC Sandeshaya that the hospital in Puvarasankulam is demarcated for the chicken pox sufferers under the instructions of an expert panel.

The disease has been spreading among the displaced people in camps in Vavuniya, he said.

Some displaced people have contracted chicken pox before arriving in the camps, Dr. Maheepala said, "appropriate action was taken as soon as they were informed".

Special team

"We sent a team of specialists from the Medical Research Institute and epidemiology unit from Colombo as soon as we heard about it," he told BBC Sinhala service.

The team has recommended separating the chicken pox sufferers to prevent widespread infection, although hospitals do not usually treat for viral infections such as chicken pox.

Dr. Maheepala added that no deaths were reported as a result of chicken pox.

At least 190,000 Internally Displaced People (IDPs) are housed in temporary camps in Vavuniya.

The United Nations estimates that about 50,000 civilians are trapped by fighting as government troops attempt to oust the Tamil Tigers from their strongholds across the north.