Sri Lanka has recorded 1,069 dengue patients within the past 24 hours, Acting Director of the National Dengue Control Unit, Dr. Kapila Kannangara said.
Addressing the media, Kapila Kannangara said that the detection has raised the total number of cases this year to 47,179.
Kapila Kannangara further said that 28 deaths have been recorded as of yesterday (21).
He noted that while daily patient numbers in non‑epidemic periods average between 150 and 200, the current outbreak has pushed daily figures to 600–650, with numbers continuing to rise.
Kapila Kannangara warned that hospital capacity has already been exceeded, and if the surge continues, there is a serious risk of the entire health system collapsing.
He further said doctors, nurses, and other health staff are under severe mental and physical strain in caring for patients, adding that the stressful environment could lead to an increase in dengue‑related deaths in the coming weeks.
Kapila Kannangara urged the public to assist the authorities in controlling the dengue disease by keeping their surrounding environments clean. (Newswire)