No disease outbreaks have been reported so far in flood-affected areas or evacuation centres, despite concerns over the spread of infectious diseases following recent floods, Deputy Minister of Health and Mass Media Dr. Hansaka Wijemuni said.

Speaking to The Sunday Morning, Dr. Wijemuni said health authorities remained on high alert, particularly for leptospirosis, diarrhoea, viral fevers, and respiratory tract-related diseases, which are commonly linked with post-flood scenarios. 

“However, no significant cases have been reported yet,” he added.

The Deputy Minister identified districts such as Nuwara Eliya, Kandy, Matale, Badulla, and Kegalle as high-risk areas should an outbreak occur, although no confirmed cases have been reported in any of these districts so far.

“All evacuation centres are under thorough monitoring by Public Health Inspectors (PHIs) and volunteer doctors. The Medical Officer of Health (MOH) in each area is responsible for daily reporting, which is submitted to the ministry’s focal point at the Disaster Management Centre,” he said, noting that the data was being assessed daily at the national level.

Dr. Wijemuni credited early preparation and strong preventive measures by the health sector for the absence of outbreaks. PHIs have closely supervised food preparation; ensured clean drinking water, particularly by boiling water; and monitored hygiene and sanitation standards at evacuation facilities.

He further noted that extended stays at evacuation centres posed health risks, prompting authorities to transition displaced people into temporary housing units. District-level negotiations are ongoing with the Sri Lanka Red Cross Society and other humanitarian organisations to establish cleaner and safer intermediate housing facilities.

In addition to physical health precautions, public health and hygiene awareness programmes are underway in the impacted areas. Dr. Wijemuni also confirmed that a psychological support programme, planned in collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO) – Sri Lanka, would begin within the next two weeks and continue for approximately one year.

Addressing concerns about medical supplies, he assured the public that the country had adequate pharmaceuticals and equipment to manage any potential crisis. “Medicinal drug supplies for next year have already arrived and storage space is being expanded. There is no shortage of medicines at present and the current disaster had no significant impact on medicinal drug availability,” he said.