In response to the increase in cases, health authorities have issued a series of preventive guidelines and urged the public to follow proper hygiene practices, including consuming clean drinking water that has been boiled and cooled.
Community Health Specialist Dr. Thushani Dabrera stated that most of the cases reported so far are suspected to be viral meningitis infections.
The first infections were detected in Deniyaya, Matara, on April 15. Since then, cases have also been reported from Rikillagaskada, Kandy, Badulla, Welimada and Diyatalawa.
Health officials noted that the majority of those affected are schoolchildren. As of yesterday (31), only 59 patients remained under hospital care, while the rest had recovered and been discharged.
Fever, headache and vomiting have been identified as the most common symptoms associated with the illness. According to health experts, viral meningitis generally resolves within a few days in most patients.
Authorities have appointed special committees to investigate the outbreak and coordinate control measures. The Ministries of Health and Education have also issued special instructions after identifying contaminated water sources as a possible contributing factor to the spread of the disease.
The public has been advised to ensure children avoid sharing food and to use safe drinking water at all times as a precaution.
