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Lanka has no risk of Listeria spread yet – health authorities

Published

2 years ago

2023/03/26

Listeriosis is an infection caused by the bacterium Listeria monocytogenes.

Health authorities say there is no risk of Listeriosis caused by Listeria spreading in the country yet. Chief Epidemiologist of the Department of Epidemiology of the Ministry of Health, Dr. Samitha Ginige told the media that that there has been no spread of listeria in Sri Lanka yet.

However, Dr. Ginige also mentioned that it is essential for the people to be aware of listeria in order to protect themselves from this disease as listeriosis can cause complications for immunocompromised people.

“Recently, many things have been reported in various media and social media about Listeria disease. Listeriosis is a disease caused by bacteria. This is not a large-scale epidemic,” he said.

Listeriosis is a serious infection caused by the germ Listeria monocytogenes. People usually become ill with listeriosis after eating contaminated food. The disease primarily affects pregnant women, newborns, older adults, and people with weakened immune systems. He said the disease is usually spread from person to person through contaminated food.

“Healthy people do not show any symptoms. But rarely complications can occur, especially for those who are pregnant, receiving treatment for various diseases such as cancer, kidney, etc., those who have long-term medical conditions and immunocompromised people. This is the condition of this disease.”

“This is just a minor upset stomach for many healthy people. But an immunocompromised person can have complications and develop brain fever and rarely even death. This disease spreads to humans only after the food is exposed to the bacteria and eaten. There is a risk of spreading this especially through milk and milk-related foods. “

“Globally, the prevalence of this disease is very low. The number of cases is between 1 and 10 per million. Therefore, this is not a medical condition that should create an unnecessary fear of an epidemic situation. The first patient was reported from Sri Lanka in the last week of February. He is middle aged. Due to complications, he developed a brain fever and died. We have confirmed that it was due to Listeria.”

“Recently, only the aforementioned patient has been reported. There is no report of any other patient, but several other people who went to Sri Pada and became ill were hospitalized. Among them, two deaths were reported. According to the data we have, we could not find any connection between those two deaths and listeria. But the tissue tests are still being done on them.”

“Also, another person who went to Sri Pada and fell ill has now recovered. He also has no evidence of Listeria. Apart from that, no patient has been reported in Sri Lanka. Currently, there are no reports of patients suspected to be having Listeria from the samples tested. That is why it is said that there is no risk of Listeria spreading. The food and water samples we tested also did not report listeria.”

“Listeria bacteria is also spreading among animals. Such a thing can spread through food. Listeria symptoms include vomiting, diarrhea, fever, abdominal pain, and body aches. But listeria is not the cause of stomach upset. However, be careful about the food you eat and water,” the health official cautioned.

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Heat index is likely to increase up to ‘Caution level’ at some places in Eastern and North-central provinces and Monaragala, Hambantota, Jaffna, Mullaittivu, Kilinochchi, Vavuniya and Kurunegala districts

Published

16 hours ago

2025/04/27

Priyan

Warm Weather Advisory
Issued by the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre of the Department of Meteorology at 3.30 p.m. 26 April 2025, valid for 27 April 2025.

The public are warned that the Heat index, the temperature felt on human body is likely to increase up to ‘Caution level’ at some places in Eastern and North-central provinces and Monaragala, Hambantota, Jaffna, Mullaittivu, Kilinochchi, Vavuniya and Kurunegala districts.

The Heat Index Forecast is calculated by using relative humidity and maximum temperature and this is the condition that is felt on your body. This is not the forecast of maximum temperature. It is generated by the Department of Meteorology for the next day period and prepared by using global numerical weather prediction model data.

Effect of the heat index on human body is mentioned in the above table and it is prepared on the advice of the Ministry of Health and Indigenous Medical Services.

ACTION REQUIRED

Job sites: Stay hydrated and takes breaks in the shade as often as possible.
Indoors: Check up on the elderly and the sick.
Vehicles: Never leave children unattended.
Outdoors: Limit strenuous outdoor activities, find shade and stay hydrated. Dress: Wear lightweight and white or light-colored clothing.

Note:
In addition, please refer to advisories issued by the Disaster Preparedness & Response Division, Ministry of Health in this regard as well. For further clarifications please contact 011-7446491.

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Minister of Foreign Affairs pays his last respects to Pope Francis

Published

17 hours ago

2025/04/27

Priyan

Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism, Vijitha Herath represented Sri Lanka at the funeral of Pope Francis on Saturday [26]

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RW to visit CIABOC on Monday

Published

18 hours ago

2025/04/27

Thilina Walpola

Former President Ranil Wickremesinghe will appear before the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery and Corruption (CIABOC) tomorrow (28) over the statement he had made on MP Chamara Sampath Dassanayake, his lawyers have informed the Commission.

Accordingly, the former President will appear before the commission at 9.30am on Monday.

Wickremesinghe was initially summoned by the Commission to CIABOC on April 17 in relation to a statement he had made about the corruption case filed against NDF (gas cylinder) MP Dassanayake.

In response to the previous summons, Wickremesinghe had indicated that he is prepared to appear before the commission but requested a different date citing that his lawyers will not be available in Colombo during the New Year holiday period.

Accordingly, a new was provided and Wickremesinghe requested to appear before the commission at 09.30 a.m. on Thursday (April 25).On April 7, Wickremesinghe had said that MP Dassanayake withdrew the fixed deposits belonging to the Uva Provincial Council, over which he is now facing corruption charges, in accordance with a circular issued during Wickremesingher’s tenure as Prime Minister.

The former President questioned whether the MP’s arrest over the matter was in response to Dassanayake’s vocal criticism of the government in parliament.

The sitting MP is currently in remand custody for allegedly misappropriating a sum of Rs. 1 million of the Uva Provincial Council in 2016.

He was taken into custody on March 27, over three separate corruption-related cases.

The Colombo Magistrate’s Court previously granted bail in the cases filed against him but he remains in remand custody due to an order issued by the Badulla Magistrate’s Court.

According to the CIABOC, Dassanayake had solicited funds from three state banks, claiming they were intended to provide bags for preschool children in the province.

Two banks complied, granting him Rs. 1 million and Rs. 2.5 million, which were later transferred to his foundation account.

However, when a third bank refused to provide funds, Dassanayake reportedly retaliated by withdrawing the Uva Provincial Council’s fixed deposits from that institution.The CIABOC filed a case against the MP, citing the government incurred a financial loss of Rs. 17.3 million due to his actions.