Sri Lanka’s dengue crisis deepened this week with the official death toll rising to 56 fatalities in 2026, underscoring the severity of the outbreak that has already infected 77,028 people nationwide. Health authorities warn that the case fatality rate, though relatively low at 0.07%, reflects the growing strain on hospitals as infections continue to climb. The latest surveillance data shows July leading with 21,650 cases, narrowly surpassing June’s 21,537. Together, these two months account for more than half of the year’s total infections, highlighting the seasonal spike during the monsoon period. Regionally, the Western Province remains the epicenter, recording 40,573 cases (52.67%), with Gampaha (16,164) and Colombo (15,341) districts hardest hit. The Southern Province follows with 11,867 cases, while Central and Sabaragamuwa provinces each report over 6,000 infections. Smaller districts such as Mullaitivu and Kilinochchi, though less affected, still reflect the nationwide spread of the disease. Health authorities have identified 162 high‑risk MOH areas in Week 28, with an average of 2,652 new cases reported daily at midnight counts. Public health officials continue to urge communities to eliminate mosquito breeding sites and seek immediate medical attention for suspected symptoms. (Newswire)
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