The Ministry of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education has instructed all Provincial Directors of Education to raise awareness among schools on measures to prevent the spread of Enteroviral Meningitis, following reports of cases among schoolchildren in several districts.

In a circular issued on Friday (29), Ministry Secretary Nalaka Kaluwewa said the disease was first reported from Deniyaya in the Matara District in April this year and has since been identified in the Nuwara Eliya, Kandy and Badulla districts.

The ministry said epidemiological and environmental investigations conducted by the Ministry of Health and Mass Media had identified both cluster outbreaks and sporadic cases, with a significant number of infections reported among schoolchildren.

According to the circular, Enteroviral Meningitis is a viral infection that primarily affects children and individuals with weakened immune systems. The disease can spread through contaminated food, water and unclean hands, as well as through respiratory droplets and close contact with infected persons.

Schools have been advised to immediately refer students displaying symptoms such as sudden fever, neck stiffness, irritability, seizures or altered consciousness for medical examination.

The ministry has instructed schools to strengthen hygiene measures, including frequent handwashing with soap, maintaining clean water and sanitation facilities, regularly disinfecting toilets and frequently touched surfaces, ensuring proper ventilation in classrooms and avoiding overcrowding during indoor activities.

Schools have also been advised to discourage students with symptoms from participating in activities involving large gatherings and to follow health guidelines when organising special events such as Dansals.

The circular further outlines hygiene requirements for school meal programme suppliers, including the use of clean water, proper food handling practices and ensuring that individuals displaying symptoms do not participate in food preparation activities.

The ministry has requested Provincial Directors of Education to ensure that all principals and heads of piriven institutions strictly implement the guidelines during daily school activities and extracurricular programmes.