Japanese Encephalitis Japanese Encephalitis:

MRI receives reagents for diagnostic test

Nadira Gunatilleke

The Medical Research Institute (MRI) received reagents required for diagnostic tests for Japanese Encephalitis last morning. The reagents were received from the National Institute of Virology, Pune, India through the WHO, a Health Ministry spokesman said.

The spokesman said the reagents are extremely expensive and not freely available in the open market for purchase. The reagent is given to Sri Lanka by this institute free of charge as a courtesy.

"The institute produces the reagent in very small amounts and sends very small quantities to Sri Lanka, as it not possible to produce the reagent in large quantities. The reagent cannot be stored for long periods and therefore, the MRI obtains it from the institute through the WHO as and when required, "the spokesman said said. "The MRI will provide the relevant diagnostic reports to the Sabaragamuwa Province as soon as possible. The reagents were received on a special request made by the MRI to the Indian institution, " he added.