- Await MRI report on source of listeria
The Vice President of the Public Health Inspectors’ Union (PHIU), K.A.T. Boralessa yesterday (20) said that while it is too early to come to a conclusion about the actual place from where the Listeria infection originated as the report of the Medical Research Institute (MRI) on this incident is yet to be released, they would however, take necessary legal action against those who sold food unfit for consumption.
Speaking to The Daily Morning, he said that the PHIs of the relevant areas had collected food samples from the Nallathanniya and Erathna areas where it is believed that this infection had started. “PHIs had collected food samples and sent them to the MRI for further research. We collected them on 17 March and handed them over on 18 March. Normally, it will take at least four days to release the report. The MRI said that they need some time, at least four or five days to check those samples and that they will be able to release the report by 22 March,” he added. He also noted that they would get to know about the exact place where the infection started from once the report of the MRI is out, as otherwise it is too early to make statements and reach conclusions.
He also said that necessary legal actions will be taken against those who sold food items which are not suitable for consumption.
Recently, several health professionals’ collectives’ including the College of Medical Laboratory Science and the Government Medical Officers’ Association called on the Ministry of Health to immediately hold a discussion with the relevant parties regarding the control of the spread of listeriosis.
The Ministry recently downplayed the risk of listeria spreading to other parts of the Island, stating that the death caused by listeria infection was an isolated incident. The death of a female pilgrim who had contracted listeria in Ratnapura earlier last week, following a pilgrimage to Adam's Peak, caused concern about food poisoning and listeria along the mountain trail which draws hundreds of thousands of visitors each year. Following the incident, PHIs raided a number of canteens and food outlets along the trail and found some selling expired food, including dairy products.