The number of meningitis patients rose to 237

The Epidemiology Unit announces that 237 suspected meningitis patients have been reported from several parts of the island so far. The majority of those affected by this condition are school-aged children, and most of them have contracted viral meningitis, confirmed Dr. Thushani Dabarera, a specialist in community health.

This viral condition was first identified on April 15th from the Deniyaya area in Matara, and subsequently, similar patients have been reported from Rikillagaskada, Kandy, Badulla, Welimada, and Diyatalawa. However, as of yesterday (31), only 59 patients were receiving hospital treatment, while all others have recovered and returned home.

Fever, severe headache, and vomiting have been identified as the main symptoms of this disease, and doctors point out that patients with viral meningitis usually recover completely within a few days. As there is a high risk of rapid spread of this disease due to the consumption of unclean drinking water, the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Education have jointly issued a special set of guidelines to control the situation.

For this reason, health authorities urge the public and children to take steps to drink only boiled and cooled clean water as much as possible, and for schoolchildren to refrain from sharing food and drinks they bring among themselves. It is also emphasized that responsible authorities should pay close attention to ensuring the cleanliness and safety of drinking water sources. As several special committees have already been appointed to systematically suppress the current situation, the government advises the public not to be unnecessarily alarmed and to properly follow the instructions provided by health authorities.