• Recent fatalities were caused by bacterial meningitis 

Recent deaths attributed to meningitis were caused by bacterial meningitis and are not linked to the enteroviral meningitis cases currently being reported among children, informed sources at the Health Ministry’s Epidemiology Unit stated.

Responding to queries from The Daily Morning yesterday (31), sources said that some media and social media reports had confused bacterial meningitis cases with the current enteroviral meningitis outbreak, creating unnecessary public concern. They stressed that no child affected by enteroviral meningitis has developed severe complications or died from the disease so far.

According to health officials, viral meningitis cases reported from several parts of the country are gradually declining and the situation is coming under control. Hospital admissions have also reduced compared with the early stages of the outbreak.

When checked yesterday, there were around 50 hospitalised patients under observation, sources said, adding that all suspected cases were reported through the national epidemiological surveillance system. They noted that not every reported patient is ultimately confirmed as having meningitis, as investigations are conducted before a diagnosis is established.

Health officials further said that no significant increase in cases has been reported from new districts in recent weeks, although surveillance activities continue across the country. "Meningitis can affect both children and adults. However, all enteroviral meningitis cases identified during the current outbreak have involved children. No adult cases linked to the present outbreak have been detected to date,” sources said.

They added that Sri Lanka’s disease surveillance system continues to monitor the situation closely and that health authorities in all districts have been instructed to remain vigilant and ensure patients receive appropriate treatment.

Although deaths from bacterial meningitis are reported from time to time, including a small number of recent fatalities, officials reiterated that no deaths or serious complications have been recorded among children affected by the current enteroviral meningitis outbreak.

Attempts to contact the Secretary to the Ministry of Health and the Chief Epidemiologist for comment were unsuccessful.