Gampaha tops Lanka’s dengue cases

Sri Lanka has recorded 94,666 dengue cases and 72 deaths so far this year, according to the latest dengue surveillance data available as of midnight on August 26.

Data from the National Dengue Control Unit’s NaDSys surveillance system show that 9,330 cases were reported in August, while July recorded the highest monthly caseload so far this year, with 29,962 cases.

June recorded 21,533 cases, followed by 8,590 in May, 5,651 in April, 6,013 in March, 5,721 in February and 7,866 in January.

The Western Province continues to account for more than half of the country’s dengue burden, with 50,098 cases, representing 52.92% of the national total.

The Southern Province recorded 13,811 cases (14.59%), followed by the Central Province with 8,602 (9.09%) and Sabaragamuwa Province with 7,770 (8.21%).

The North Western Province has reported 4,727 cases, while the Eastern, Uva, North Central and Northern provinces have recorded 3,938, 2,665, 1,687 and 1,368 cases respectively.

At district level, Gampaha remains the worst-affected, with 20,170 cases, accounting for 21.31% of the national total.

Colombo follows with 18,775 cases (19.83%), while Kandy has recorded 6,892 cases (7.28%), Matara 6,112 (6.46%), Kalutara 6,111 (6.46%), Galle 5,185 (5.48%) and Ratnapura 5,029 (5.31%).

Kegalle has reported 2,741 cases, followed by Kurunegala with 2,674, Hambantota with 2,514, Puttalam with 2,053, Batticaloa with 1,515 and Badulla with 1,483.

The surveillance report has also identified 76 high-risk Medical Officer of Health (MOH) areas during Week 33 of 2026. The report further provides data on the average number of dengue patients recorded at midnight, indicating the continued pressure on health facilities amid the ongoing outbreak.