Ebola triggers heightened vigilance in Sri Lanka

Colombo, May 25 (Daily Mirror) - The ongoing Ebola outbreak in parts of Central and East Africa is raising serious global health concerns, with fears that the spread may be wider than currently detected.

Speaking to Daily Mirror, Dr. Maheshaka Wijayawardena said the current outbreak involving the Bundibugyo strain of the Ebola virus is particularly concerning because there are no approved vaccines or specific treatments available for the strain.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared the outbreak a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) under the International Health Regulations (2005), although it has not been categorised as a pandemic emergency.

According to latest WHO data, 83 laboratory-confirmed Ebola cases, 746 suspected infections and 176 suspected deaths have been reported from the Ituri Province in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, including the health zones of Bunia, Rwampara and Mongbwalu.

Dr. Wijayawardena said the actual scale of the outbreak could be significantly higher due to unexplained community deaths, suspected hospital-based transmission and weaknesses in infection prevention systems in affected areas.

He explained that Ebola spreads through direct contact with the blood or bodily fluids of infected individuals or contaminated materials.

Symptoms may appear between two and 21 days after exposure and commonly include sudden fever, chills, severe weakness, headaches, muscle pain, vomiting, diarrhoea and abdominal pain. Some patients may also develop bleeding or bruising in severe cases.

He stressed that Ebola is not airborne, but urged the public and healthcare workers to strictly follow preventive measures including proper hand hygiene, avoiding contact with infected persons and using protective equipment where necessary.

Dr. Wijayawardena also advised travellers returning from Ebola-affected countries to immediately seek medical attention if they develop symptoms within 21 days and to inform healthcare authorities about their recent travel history.

Meanwhile, Sri Lanka has stepped up precautionary measures following the WHO declaration.

Director General of Health Services Dr. Asela Gunawardena said the Ministry of Health will implement a five-step preparedness plan in response to the outbreak.

The measures include strengthening surveillance at airports, ensuring readiness at the National Institute of Infectious Diseases (NIID) to treat suspected patients, preparing the Medical Research Institute (MRI) for laboratory testing and diagnosis, enhancing the country’s disease surveillance system and maintaining close coordination between the Epidemiology Unit and the WHO to monitor the evolving global situation.

Health authorities said Sri Lanka remains a low-risk country for Ebola transmission and confirmed that no cases have been reported locally. The public has been urged to remain informed but not panic, as preventive and monitoring measures are already in place.