The Ministry of Health has issued special guidelines amid concerns over the spread of the ‘Enterovirus Meningitis’ in parts of the island.
The guidelines, issued to all health sectors and institutions, cover information on suspected symptoms, clinical diagnosis and classification, modes of transmission, treatment and laboratory testing, public health practices, school-based precautions, clinical management and community-level control measures.
The guidelines were prepared by Dr Palitha Karunapema and a team of specialist doctors attached to the Health Ministry.
Symptoms
The Epidemiology Unit has identified high fever, headaches, and vomiting as the main symptoms of this virus, primarily entering the body through the consumption of unclean food and water.
In a majority of cases, people who contract the disease recover within seven days, but due to its potency to spread rapidly, the Epidemiology Unit has stressed the importance of following strict health safety measures.
The virus can be transmitted to another person through respiratory droplets expelled when an infected person coughs or sneezes, as well as by maintaining close contact.
Generally, symptoms appear between 3 to 7 days after exposure to the virus.
Recommended Safety Measures
To control the spread of the disease, experts have urged the public to wash hands regularly with soap, and to consume clean food and safe drinking water.
They also urge people to cover their mouth and nose with a handkerchief when coughing or sneezing and avoid close contact with individuals showing symptoms.
Maintaining proper ventilation inside houses and public buildings can also help mitigate the spread of the virus.
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