Sri Lanka’s health authorities have raised concern after confirming the re-emergence of measles in the country, a disease that had previously been declared eliminated.
According to the Ministry of Health, two cases involving children have been identified in the Colombo District, prompting renewed public health alerts and calls for immediate preventive action.
Sri Lanka was officially declared measles-free by the World Health Organization in 2019. However, officials note that sporadic outbreaks have occurred in certain parts of the country since 2023, raising concerns about sustained vulnerability.
A senior official from the Epidemiology Unit, Dr. Athula Liyanapathirana, stated that no measles cases had been reported since January 2025 until the recent detection of infections, making the current situation particularly significant. He added that laboratory analysis of one of the cases conducted in India confirmed the virus was imported.
Health authorities are urging parents to ensure that children who have not been vaccinated, or who have only received a single dose, complete the full measles immunization schedule without delay, in order to prevent further spread.
Officials have also warned of the potential severity of the disease. Recent research highlights that measles can weaken the immune system, increasing susceptibility to other infections even after recovery. In rare cases, it can also lead to Subacute Sclerosing Panencephalitis (SSPE), a serious and often fatal neurological complication that may develop years after initial infection.
Authorities emphasize that recovery from measles does not eliminate all long-term risks, and continued vigilance is necessary even after symptoms resolve, as they work to prevent a wider outbreak.
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