According to the preliminary investigations, the reason for the death of two inmates in the Galle prison was an infection caused by meningococcal bacteria, says Deputy Director General of Medical Services Dr. G. Wijesuriya.
This has been revealed after a full study conducted by a medical team at Galle Karapitiya Hospital after this incident.
The doctor says that the samples of the membranes, blood, brain water etc. of the patients have been tested for a long time.
According to the recommendation of the medical team, it has been recommended to give some medicine to all the inmates of Galle prison and its staff.
The medical team has also advised to hospitalize other sick patients in the prison immediately. They have already been hospitalized.
Prison authorities have also been instructed to hospitalize immediately if they develop symptoms of fever, skin disease etc.
A separate investigation has now been launched to find out how the bacteria got into the prison.
Dr. Wijesuriya said a 24-year-old inmate of the Galle prison, was admitted to the Karapitiya hospital about a week after his release and later died, and will find out whether the bacteria entered the prison from that person.
Accordingly, the medical team has decided to examine this young man’s family members and his associates.
The doctor also emphasizes that he will take necessary measures to prevent the spread of this bacteria to outside society.
The doctor points out that this bacteria is often transmitted through people who have travelled abroad from time to time, places where many people hang out, places like prisons with low facilities, and even university dormitories as places where this bacteria can be found.
But the doctor has emphasized that it is very rare to find this bacterium in this country.
