Meningitis outbreak: Eight prisoners treated following death of Galle prison inmate

Following the recent death of a prisoner at Galle Prison due to meningitis, eight other inmates are presently undergoing treatment for suspected meningitis at the Karapitiya Teaching Hospital. As a precautionary measure, all activities at Galle Prison have been restricted since January 4, according to Prisons Commissioner and Media Spokesman Gamini B. Dissanayake.

To address the Meningitis outbreak, new inmates intended for Galle Prison will now be transferred to Angunakolapelessa Prison instead, with stringent health protocols in place, he added. Visitors to Galle Prison will only be allowed under strict health guidelines, as outlined by the Prisons Commissioner.

The 29-year-old resident of Kottawagama succumbed to meningitis at Karapitiya Teaching Hospital on January 3. Last week, two inmates from Matara Prison also lost their lives to meningitis, while 17 others were hospitalized with high fever.