Sri Lanka’s health authorities have turned their attention to the Ebola virus spreading globally and the meningitis cases reported locally, Minister of Health Nalinda Jayatissa said today (01).
Speaking to the media, the Minister noted that measures are already underway to control meningitis in the country, and that immediate steps were taken from the first day cases were reported.
“Health authorities are working to control the meningitis disease spreading in the country and expect public cooperation. That is why in recent days at Dansal we advised providing hot drinks like tea, as meningitis could spread in such settings. To some extent, health authorities have managed to control it,” he said, while cautioning against complacency.
He stressed that the disease had particularly affected children and urged continued vigilance.
The Health Minister further said that the Epidemiology Unit has paid special attention to the Ebola virus.
“It was in several African countries that this first began. Afterwards, the WHO reported this as an emergency situation. From then onwards, the Epidemiology Unit has continuously paid attention to this and provided necessary instructions to our health system,” he explained.
Meanwhile, Consultant Epidemiologist at the Epidemiology Unit of the Ministry of Health, Thushari Dabarera, said Sri Lanka was prepared to address the Ebola virus.
Addressing the media today (01), she explained that the virus spreads both to humans and primates such as monkeys, most commonly through blood or bodily fluids.
“Sri Lanka’s Health Ministry has already conducted a rehearsal on preparedness for an Ebola virus outbreak, based on guidelines issued by the World Health Organization. Instructions have been issued to relevant institutions, especially airports and ports, to quarantine those arriving from African nations such as Congo and Uganda, which are known to be affected,” she said.
Dabarera further noted that the National Institute of Infectious Diseases (IDH) is prepared to treat passengers detected with the Ebola virus.
Pointing out that the current outbreak is driven by the Bundibugyo strain, she warned: “It is serious, as it carries a 50% fatality rate.” (Newswire)