Measures already have been taken to contain the spread of Meningococcal meningitis in the Matara area following an outbreak recorded in the Matara prison regional director of Matara Dr, R Mediwakaa told the media. She has said that health authorities are screening on prison employees, detainees who have been freed recently as well as their close contacts.
According to the prison, health sources there are 17 patients have been hospitalized with similar symptoms of meningococcal fever. One patient has died and another patient is receiving treatment in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of Matara Hospital.
Director of Prison Health Services Dr, Hemantha Ranasinghe said that due to heavy congestion in prison there is a big risk of spreading the disease among the prisoners and prison officials. He urged that maximum measures have to be taken to contain the disease. Already officials have stopped receiving new inmates to the prison and it has been closed to visitors for 10 days
According to the Doctors, the disease is caused by the bacteria. When someone gets infected with meningococcal meningitis, the bacteria infect the lining of the brain and spinal cord and cause swelling.
Symptoms of the disease are fever, Headache, Stiff neck, Photophobia (eyes being more sensitive to light) Altering mental status confusion.
