Jail Commissioner (Rehabilitation) Gamini B. Dissanayake has reported that 16 inmates from Matara Prison are currently undergoing treatment at Matara Hospital due to a spreading brain fever outbreak.
Yesterday afternoon (23), eight patients exhibiting symptoms of brain fever were admitted to Matara Hospital, Commissioner Dissanayake disclosed. Presently, 16 inmates are receiving medical care at Matara Hospital. Regrettably, one inmate who was under treatment in the intensive care unit has passed away due to the illness, while another remains in intensive care, as stated by the prison media spokesperson.
The flu-like condition has been spreading within Matara Prison for about a week, leading to restrictive measures for prison guards and the transfer of new prisoners to Agunukolapalassa prison, as indicated by the prison media spokesperson.
The health department has proactively provided medicines to prison inmates, officials, and their families. Matara prison currently houses approximately 550 inmates, the prison media spokesperson added. Authorities continue to closely monitor the situation and implement necessary measures to contain the outbreak within the prison facility.
