No new patients affected by mystery illness

by Bharatha Malawaraarachchi

Health authorities yesterday claimed that no new patients have been affected by the mysterious health condition reported from the Peradeniya Hospital, Kandy and that the situation was now returning to normal.

"Seven patients were discharged yesterday as their condition has improved," a Healthcare and Nutrition Ministry spokesman told the Daily News yesterday.

He said there were no deaths that can be attributed to the mystery disease during the last week. "After the first three deaths reported one week back, there are no new deaths in the area due to this health condition which is yet to be identified."

The spokesman claimed they believed that the situation was now under control. "But, we have intensified our investigations in order to ascertain the real causes leading to this disease."

So far, 42 patients with the mysterious health condition have been reported. The Ministry's Acting Secretary Dr. Nihal Jayathilake yesterday called a meeting of all relevant institutions to review the progress and issued instructions to the authorities for combating the disease.