150 school students found to have contracted meningitis - one student is serious

Health authorities state that as of yesterday, nearly 150 school students suffering from meningitis, or brain fever, have been identified from various parts of the island. The highest number of these patients, over sixty, has been reported from the Central Province.

Of these, thirty-five patients are currently receiving inpatient treatment at hospitals in Badulla, Welimada, Diyatalawa, and Uva Paranagama Hibiliyagaha Maditta.

Meanwhile, an eleven-year-old schoolgirl who became critically ill due to brain fever is reportedly still under medical supervision in the Intensive Care Unit of Badulla Teaching Hospital. Health authorities indicate that a nine-year-old schoolgirl at Uva Paranagama Hospital, seven male students and nine female students at Welimada Base Hospital, and seventeen more students at Diyatalawa Base Hospital are currently receiving medical treatment due to this condition.

Additionally, twenty-five patients suffering from brain fever or exhibiting its symptoms have been reported from Rikillagaskada Hospital. This group includes many schoolchildren who are scheduled to undergo a series of special medical tests to accurately confirm their condition.

High fever, headache, dizziness, difficulty looking at light, vomiting, nausea, and the appearance of small blisters on the skin are the main symptoms of meningitis, or brain fever. Public health inspectors urge the public that if a child or anyone else exhibits such symptoms, they should immediately be taken to the nearest hospital and steps should be taken to inform the local public health inspectors about the matter.

Amidst the spread of such a dangerous disease in the country, the Epidemiology Unit in Colombo has refused to comment on the matter to the media. Furthermore, it is reported that the Epidemiology Unit has not yet issued any official set of instructions to the public, including steps to take to protect against this disease.