Health Ministry convenes emergency meeting amid Bird Flu fears

• Sri Lanka has so far not reported a single case
• Authorities stress importance of remaining vigilant amidst a surge in neighbouring nations

The officials from the Ministry of Health and the Department of Animal Production and Health convened an emergency meeting yesterday (25) at the Ministry of Health to address the current bird flu situation. The meeting, chaired by Health Secretary Dr. Palitha Mahipala, focused on the potential threat of bird flu.  

During the meeting, it was highlighted that the Medical Research Institute (MRI) are conducting daily tests on samples taken from 20 hospitals across the country.   

For the past 12 years, the MRI has maintained 100% accuracy in the World Health Organization’s Avian Flu External Quality Assessment Programme.  Sri Lanka is a country which has so far not reported a single case of bird flu. However, the authorities stressed the importance of remaining vigilant amidst a surge in cases in neighbouring nations. 

Bird flu, or avian influenza, is an infectious disease caused by influenza viruses that primarily affect birds but can also infect other animals and humans.  

Daily Mirror reported on Saturday (22) that Sri Lanka has developed the capacity to detect H9, H7, and H5 bird flu cases in humans while routine influenza surveillance in sentinel site hospitals is capable of detecting any suspected human cases of bird flu.  

Symptoms of Bird Flu

Fever,   
Cough,   
Tiredness,   
Muscle aches,   
Sore throat,   
Shortness of breath,   
Runny nose,   
Headache