Mysterious allergic reaction may have originated from insect -
MRI Director
Chamikara WEERASINGHE
Medical Research Institute (MRI) Director Dr Anil Samaranayaka
yesterday said they suspect the mysterious allergic reaction on
schoolchildren in Central Province as having originated from an insect.
Dr Samaranayaka said he sent MRI entomology teams to affected schools
in Gampola and Kandy as part of investigations to determine the cause of
allergic attacks. MRI entomologist R Ranasinghe will lead the
investigations.
"Entomology teams have collected environmental samples from the
affected schools, "he said.
Over 1,500 students have been brought to the Gampola Base and
Balangoda Hospitals for treatment from Jinaraja Girls School and
Panvilathenna School in Gampola and Weligapola Walagamba Vidyalaya in
Balangoda after they showed allergic reactions.
Dr Samaranayaka said they are carrying out investigations with the
Health Ministry's Epidemiological Unit since the discovery of the first
allergic reaction was from Gampola Jinaraja Girls School last Monday.
Health Minister Maithripala Sirisena has called for an immediate
investigation following reports of the allergic attacks on students. The
latest attack was reported yesterday from the Nugawela boys' school in
Kandy where around 200 students had reportedly suffered allergic
reactions and were admitted to the Thiththapajjala Hospital. Meanwhile,
Gampola Base Hospital Director Dr Sarath Weerabandara said they treated
every student who came to the hospital with allergic reactions. We
treated around 1,000 students. "They went home after successful
treatment. The last 15 patients were sent home yesterday (16)," he said. |
