Dr. Samitha Ginige, head of the Epidemiology Unit of the Health Ministry, told Daily News yesterday (20) that the Listeria bacteria reported from Sripada will not develop into an epidemic situation.
Dr. Samitha Ginige said that the people should not have any fear in this regard. He pointed out that the information published on social media about this bacterium is not true. However, if this bacterium enters the body of people with chronic diseases, various complications might occur, he said.
He said that this bacteria spreads through food and water and only one death of a person infected with the Listeria bacteria has been reported so far. “The people participating in the Siripada pilgrimage should not have undue fear of this bacteria and they should take steps to obtain food and water safely,” he pointed out.
Dr. Samitha Ginige said that the food and water samples taken from the shops and hotels located in the Sripada area are regularly tested and none of the tested samples has contained Listeria bacteria so far.
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