An escalating dengue outbreak has killed 61 people across Sri Lanka this year, as total infections soared past 84,000 by late July, health authorities said.
Data released by the National Dengue Control Unit through midnight on July 29 highlights a dramatic surge during the monsoon season, with health officials recording an average of nearly 2,400 new cases every day during peak weeks.
The western and southern regions have borne the brunt of the epidemic, with the Western Province alone responsible for over half of all recorded illnesses at 44,552 cases.
Gampaha emerged as the worst hit district with 17,850 infections, closely followed by Colombo with 16,716 cases, while Kandy, Matara, and Kalutara also reported heavy caseloads.
Monthly statistics show a sharp acceleration in transmission as July became the deadliest month of the year with 28,717 cases, following a steep rise in June which registered 21,533 infections.
Earlier in the year, monthly tallies remained relatively subdued, fluctuating between 5,000 and 8,000 cases through the first five months.
Despite the massive surge that has placed 175 Medical Officer of Health divisions on high alert, health officials noted that the national case fatality rate has been contained at 0.07 per cent.
Public health teams have urged communities across the island to immediately eradicate vector breeding grounds to help check further spread.
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