The Claim That a Type of “Brain Fever” Is Currently Spreading Among Schoolchildren in the Ratnapura Area Is False!

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Various attempts to raise public awareness using new technology are frequently seen across social media platforms these days.

However, sharing unverified information on social media can create unnecessary public fear. Below is a fact-check we conducted regarding one such false claim.

Social Media Posts :

“Disturbing news from Ratnapura! Please pay attention to this for the safety of your children. ‘Meningitis’ (brain fever) is reportedly spreading among schoolchildren in Ratnapura these days. According to health authorities, although the situation is currently reported only from Ratnapura, it is important for parents across Sri Lanka to be aware of it.”

A video created using artificial intelligence circulated on social media, claiming: “This video clearly explains the symptoms and the safety precautions that should be taken to protect children. Please share this valuable video for the safety of children!”

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The video was also widely shared through WhatsApp.

Following several requests to verify whether “brain fever” was actually spreading in the Ratnapura area, we conducted a fact-check into the claim.

Fact-Check :

Encephalitis and meningitis, commonly referred to as “brain fever” in general usage, are serious medical conditions caused by infections affecting the brain or the protective membranes surrounding the brain. These diseases are mainly classified based on the type of microorganism causing the infection and the body’s reaction to it.

We first examined whether mainstream media outlets had reported any unusual increase or outbreak of “brain fever” cases among children in the Ratnapura area. However, we were unable to find any such reports.

In early May 2026, greater public attention was drawn to reports of a fever-like illness among schoolchildren in Deniyaya, in the Matara District. In the first week of May 2026, a suspected outbreak of viral meningitis (“brain fever”) was reported among schoolchildren in the Deniyaya area. As a result, around 47 children received treatment at the Deniyaya Base Hospital. To control the spread of the illness, education authorities in the zone temporarily closed several schools in the area. Health officials have suspected that the virus may have been transmitted through contaminated drinking water. This situation was also reported in several mainstream media outlets and reports can be found here, here and here.

However, the Ratnapura District has historically recorded cases of “brain fever” such as Japanese encephalitis from time to time. Therefore, we contacted the Director of the Ratnapura Teaching Hospital for clarification. Dr. Aruna stated that there have been no reports of a meningitis outbreak or any unusual increase in paediatric cases similar to the situation reported in Deniyaya. He further noted that only occasional cases of Japanese encephalitis and meningitis are treated at the hospital each year as part of normal hospital admissions. He emphasized that these are routine cases and not indicative of any current outbreak linked to the situation reported in Deniyaya. However, he added that health authorities continue to monitor the situation closely.

The Regional Epidemiology Unit, which monitors infectious disease trends in the area, also confirmed that there has been no significant increase in cases of encephalitis or meningitis reported at the hospital or in the surrounding region, including among schoolchildren. This was further confirmed by the local Public Health Inspector, who stated that no abnormal rise in such cases has been observed in the area.

However, although there is no outbreak of “Brain Fever” in the Ratnapura District at present, health authorities regularly issue warnings about diseases that can affect the brain.

Sri Lanka’s highest number of rat fever cases and related deaths are reported from the Ratnapura District. In severe cases, rat fever can affect the brain and its surrounding membranes, leading to meningitis, which can be life threatening.

Standing water in gem mining pits in the Ratnapura area can contribute to mosquito breeding, while the presence of pig-rearing farms is also considered a risk factor for certain infections. These environmental conditions may increase the risk of diseases such as Brain Fever in affected areas. As a result, the government has made the vaccine for this (JE Vaccine) compulsory for children under the age of 10. Information on this is available here, here, and here.

Steps to protect children

Always provide children only boiled and cooled, clean drinking water.

Advise children not to share water bottles or food at school or tuition classes.

If a child develops a high fever, severe headache, vomiting, or difficulty in moving the neck, seek immediate medical attention at the nearest government hospital without delay. More information is available here.

Explaining the situation reported in Deniyaya and the symptoms of meningitis, Paediatric Respiratory Specialist Dr. Channa De Silva of Lady Ridgeway Hospital.

Join us to learn more about our fact checking investigations.

Conclusion :

Our investigation confirms that the video circulating on social media claiming meningitis is spreading among schoolchildren in the Ratnapura area is false. The Director of the Ratnapura Teaching Hospital, along with the Regional Epidemiology Unit and Public Health Inspectors, confirmed that there has been no significant increase in “brain fever” (encephalitis or meningitis) cases at the hospital or in the surrounding region.

They stated that only one or two isolated cases have been treated since the beginning of the year, which is considered normal. Health authorities clarified that there is no outbreak among schoolchildren and no evidence of a viral spread similar to the situation reported in Deniyaya.