Dengue death toll rises to 73 as cases near 100,000

Sri Lanka’s dengue outbreak has claimed 73 lives so far this year, with more than 96,000 cases reported across the island, according to the Dengue Control Unit.

A total of 96,228 dengue cases have been recorded nationwide to date, while 737 new cases were reported during the first four days of September alone, underscoring the continued spread of the mosquito-borne disease.

The latest figures show that dengue transmission has fluctuated significantly during the year, with the highest monthly caseload recorded in July, when 29,964 cases were reported.

June recorded the second-highest number of cases, with 21,533, followed by August with 10,155 cases. A further 8,590 cases were reported in May, while 7,866 cases were recorded in January.

The concentration of cases in the Western Province remains a major concern. The province has recorded 50,851 cases, accounting for 52.84% of all dengue infections reported in the country so far this year.

The Southern Province has recorded 13,950 cases, making it the second-worst affected province. The Central Province has reported 8,818 cases, while 7,925 cases have been recorded in the Sabaragamuwa Province.

The figures indicate that the dengue burden remains heavily concentrated in several provinces, particularly the Western Province, which accounts for more than half of all cases reported nationwide.

Health authorities continue to urge the public to take precautions against the spread of dengue, particularly by eliminating mosquito breeding sites around homes, workplaces and other premises.

The surge in cases during the middle of the year, particularly in June and July, has also highlighted the importance of sustained mosquito-control measures as Sri Lanka continues to battle the disease.

With the number of cases already exceeding 96,000 and new infections continuing to be reported in September, health authorities are expected to maintain intensified surveillance and dengue-control activities across high-risk areas.