A pregnant mother and her seven‑month‑old unborn child have died from dengue, underscoring the severity of the outbreak that continues to grip Sri Lanka.
The woman, a resident of Wadduwa, was admitted to hospital with severe illness and later transferred to the Intensive Care Unit. Despite doctors’ efforts, both mother and child could not be saved.
The tragedy comes as Sri Lanka has recorded 86,386 dengue cases so far in 2026, with 62 deaths and a case fatality rate of 0.07%, according to official latest data. July alone saw nearly 30,000 infections, while August has already reported over 1,000 cases.
The Western Province remains the hardest hit, accounting for more than half of all cases (45,675), led by Gampaha (18,321) and Colombo (17,101). The Southern Province has reported 12,969 cases, while the Central Province has recorded 7,567.
Health officials have urged communities to strengthen mosquito control and remain vigilant as the monsoon rains continue. (Newswire)