Sri Lanka’s health authorities are on the alert for the recent spread of Human metapneumovirus (HMPV), but no patients have been confirmed from the island so far, Health Minister Nalinda Jayatissa said.
Speaking in Parliament yesterday (Jan. 09), he said that there was a suspected patient but tests were negative.
“We are keeping watch on 20 locations”, the minister has assured, adding that the epidemiology unit are providing regular updates and taking necessary precautions.
Commenting on a spate of social media posts that had made rounds yesterday, which claimed that a HMPV patient was found in Sri Lanka, the minister explained that these were based on a mainstream media report that had not correctly and completely quoted a statement by Prof. Neelika Malavige.
He explained that Prof. Malavige had correctly stated that Sri Lanka had identified a HMPV patient before the current outbreak and not during the present one. However, the report had been published in a manner that left room to assume that it was during the present outbreak.
He slammed such reports published in a manner to create undue fear in the society.
“I wish to tell these media stations that media is not just about views, ratings or profits. These are sensitive issues affecting the lives of the public and should be dealt with scientific statistics.”
