A specialist medical team from the Epidemiology Unit of the Ministry of Health is scheduled to arrive in Deniyaya to investigate the fever outbreak rapidly spreading among schoolchildren, it was reported. 

According to Ada Derana, District Director of Health Services Sumith Manathunga said that the situation has not escalated to epidemic level. 

It is reported that the move comes as health authorities seek to assess the situation and recommend measures to contain the spread. 

Acting on earlier guidance, Zonal Director of Education for Deniyaya, Nishaka Hettiyagoda, ordered the closure of four schools in the area on 7 and 8 May. 

The schools closed are Deniyaya Central College, Deniyaya Rajapaksa Maha Vidyalaya, Deniyaya St. Matthew’s Bilingual School, and Pallekanda Siddhartha Vidyalaya. 

Officials said the decision was taken in view of the rising number of students and teachers affected.

Meanwhile, Southern Province Education Secretary N.K.R. Pathirana noted that decisions regarding reopening will be taken based on instructions provided by health authorities. (Newswire)

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The death toll due to an unidentified fever spreading in Jaffna has risen to five (05), Jaffna Hospital Director Dr. Sathyamoorthy said.

Addressing the media yesterday, Dr. Sathyamoorthy revealed that the deaths were caused due to fever and respiratory complications.

He further said that the deceased were aged between 20 and 65 years. 

Dr. Sathyamoorthy added that as the disease is suspected to be leptospirosis, commonly known as rat fever, blood samples have been sent to Colombo to confirm the diagnosis. 

Meanwhile, the Health Promotion Bureau has also launched a probe into the unidentified disease.

Addressing the media yesterday, Dr. Kumudu Weerakoon from the Epidemiology Unit of the Ministry of Health said detailed investigations are underway to identify the exact nature of the disease.

Dr. Weerakoon further said that the authorities are continuing to monitor the situation closely, with measures being taken to contain the spread of the illness. (Newswire)

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