He stated that there is currently no evidence of Nipah virus cases in Sri Lanka and confirmed that the country has adequate testing kits to identify any suspected infections. Health officials continue to closely monitor the regional situation.
The Nipah virus, which can spread from animals such as bats and rodents, carries a high mortality rate ranging between 40 and 75 percent. Although human-to-human transmission is possible, it is considered rare. In response to the outbreak, several Asian countries including Thailand, Singapore, Hong Kong, and Malaysia have introduced airport screening measures to prevent cross-border spread.
Dr. Wijemuni emphasized that the risk of the virus entering Sri Lanka remains minimal, noting that severely ill individuals are unlikely to travel. He reassured the public that there is no need for unnecessary fear or additional expenditure at this stage, as preventive systems remain firmly in place.
