Dengue cases cross 86,000 mark as death toll rises to 62
by Chaminda Silva Sri Lanka’s dengue caseload has surpassed 86,000 since the beginning of the year, with the latest figures from the National Dengue Control Unit (NDCU) showing a sharp rise in infections during July. According to the NDCU report, a total of 86,000 dengue cases have been recorded so far this year, with July […]
Sri Lanka's dengue epidemic has reached a critical point, with the number of cases surging past 86,000 since the start of the year, according to the National Dengue Control Unit (NDCU). The latest data reveals a concerning surge in infections during July, with 29,980 cases reported, marking the highest monthly figure since the outbreak began. This trend continued into August, with an additional 646 cases confirmed within the first two days alone, underscoring the disease's persistent presence.
Gampaha District leads the country in dengue cases, having recorded 18,249 infections thus far in 2023, followed closely by Colombo District, which has reported 17,048 cases. The NDCU's latest report highlights the severity of the outbreak, noting that 137 Medical Officer of Health (MOH) divisions are currently designated as high-risk zones, necessitating urgent and robust preventive efforts to curb the spread of dengue.
Amid this alarming increase in infections, the death toll from dengue-related complications has unfortunately risen to 62. The ongoing crisis demands immediate attention and concerted action from health authorities to implement effective containment strategies and mitigate further loss of life.
Written by urgent.news from The Island Sri Lanka's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
