Sri Lanka on High Alert to Combat Monkeypox
Sri Lanka is on high alert for Monkeypox, with the government asserting its readiness to tackle the virus at any stage. Health Minister Ramesh Pathirana informed Parliament on Tuesday that the country is better prepared now than in previous years, with measures in place to protect the public.
Responding to an inquiry from an Opposition MP, Pathirana assured that all necessary precautions have been taken to mitigate the risk of Monkeypox. Echoing this, Epidemiologist Dr. Chinthana Perera emphasized that the current pandemic preparedness is significantly improved compared to the past. He confirmed that the Medical Research Institute (MRI) is equipped to conduct Monkeypox tests and that regular monitoring is in place.
Dr. Perera also mentioned that the Health Ministry has the required treatment facilities should any cases be detected. Additionally, Sri Lanka is keeping a close eye on regional and global developments related to the virus, as the World Health Organization recently declared a global emergency and issued guidelines to address the threat.
