Another eight inmates who showed symptoms of fever spreading in the Matara Prison were admitted to the Matara General Hospital on Saturday bringing the total number of inmates suffering from a suspected brain fever to 16, Prison authorities said.
A 28-year-old inmate has already died due to the illness and two inmates are said to be receiving treatment at the ICU.
The fever that has spread in the prison is suspected to be brain fever and the samples taken from infected inmates have been sent to the Medical Research Institute.
Prison Department Health Services Deputy Director Dr.Hemantha Ranasinghe said several measures have been taken by them to prevent further spread of this disease among inmates.
Antibiotics have been given to inmates and prison officers.Dr.Ranasinghe noted that inmates suffering from this fever suffer from symptoms such as headache, vomiting, loss of appetite, abdominal pain and skin rashes.
Prisons Commissioner General Thushara Upuldeniya has given instructions to refer new inmates brought to the Matara Prison to the Angunukolapalassa Prison in view of this situation. In order to control this disease, as per the health guidelines, measures have been taken to limit visitors.
If the spread of the disease worsens further, it is planned to temporarily suspend the taking of detainees for court proceedings and to present the detainees for court proceedings through zoom technology.
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