The Ministry of Health has officially confirmed that there have been only two reported cases of meningococcal infections, according to tests conducted by the Medical Research Institute (MRI).
Director General of Health Services, Dr. Asela Gunawardena, addressed recent media reports suggesting a widespread bacterial infection in the Colombo district.
He clarified that there have been only two reported cases so far, with one being in Galle.
Dr. Gunawardena provided details about the two cases, stating that one infection was reported in Galle Prison, while the other was reported in Colombo.
The second patient, a resident of Ja-Ela, is currently receiving treatment at the Colombo National Hospital and is said to be recovering well. Regarding the recent death of a child at the Karapitiya Teaching Hospital in Galle, Dr. Gunawardena explained that although meningococcal meningitis was initially suspected as the cause of death, subsequent tests confirmed that the child did not have the infection.
Meanwhile, Microbiologist at the MRI, Dr. Lilani Karunanayake, shed light on how the meningococcal bacterial infection spreads, emphasizing that it is most commonly transmitted through saliva and phlegm
