Sri Lanka, Jan. 29 -- Deputy Minister of Health Dr. Hansaka Wijemuni yesterday assured the public that there is no threat to Sri Lanka from the Nipah virus currently reported in parts of India, stressing that no cases have been detected in the country so far.

Addressing the media, the Deputy Minister said Sri Lanka, like other countries in the Asian region where Nipah has previously been reported, is closely monitoring the situation. However, he emphasized that there is no reason for unnecessary fear.

"There is no threat to Sri Lanka at this time. Nipah has never spread as a global epidemic in history, and therefore people should not be unduly alarmed," Dr. Wijemuni said. He added that Sri Lanka has adequate testing facilities and test ...