Disease spreading at Galle Prison identified

COLOMBO (News 1st); It has been revealed that a disease called Meningococcal is spreading among the inmates of the Galle Prison.

Deputy Director General of Health Services Dr. G Wijesuriya said all measures have been taken to control the spread of the disease.

He added that antibiotics were provided by the Karapitiya Teaching Hospital for this purpose.

Dr. G Wijesuriya said a program was launched to identify inmates who left the prison premises and those who visited the inmates, and to test them for the disease.

Two inmates who contracted the disease died and seven others are receiving treatment at the Karapitiya Teaching Hospital.

Moving inmates out of the Galle Prison has been suspended for 2 weeks. 

Prisons Commissioner and Spokesperson Chandana Ekanayake said that producing of suspects in court has also been suspended for a period of 2 weeks. 

He added that visitors will also be restricted during this period.