The death toll from an unidentified fever spreading in Jaffna has risen to five, confirmed Jaffna Hospital Director Dr. T. Sathyamoorthy during a media briefing.
The deceased, aged between 20 and 65, succumbed to the fever and respiratory complications. While the illness is suspected to be leptospirosis, also known as rat fever, Dr. Sathyamoorthy stated that blood samples have been sent to Colombo for further testing to confirm the diagnosis. Initially, three deaths had been reported from the illness.
At a separate briefing by the Health Promotion Bureau today (11), Dr. Kumudu Weerakoon from the Epidemiology Unit of the Ministry of Health highlighted that detailed investigations are underway to identify the exact cause of the disease.
Health authorities are closely monitoring the situation, implementing measures to contain the spread of the illness and ensuring necessary medical care for those affected.
