Sri Lanka’s dengue outbreak has intensified, with the National Dengue Control Unit (NDCU) reporting 71,235 cases nationwide as of midnight on 14 July 2026.
The NDCU further confirmed 49 dengue-related deaths this year, with a case fatality rate of 0.07%, underscoring the severity of the outbreak.
High-risk Medical Officer of Health (MOH) areas have risen to 175, with an average of 2,677 new cases per week.
According to official surveillance data, Western Province remains the epicenter, accounting for more than half of all infections (37,490 cases, 52.6%). Within districts, Gampaha (14,736 cases) and Colombo (14,229 cases) recorded the highest cases, followed by Matara (5,053) and Kalutara (4,753).
Monthly figures show a sharp escalation during the southwest monsoon: June recorded 21,538 cases, while July has already reached 15,856 cases midway through the month. Earlier months saw lower totals, with May at 8,590 and April at 5,651.
Other provinces also report significant caseloads: Southern (11,125 cases), Sabaragamuwa (5,984), and Central (4,947), while smaller but notable outbreaks are seen in North Western (3,322) and Eastern (3,241) provinces.
Health authorities continue to urge public cooperation with eradication drives, stressing that unchecked mosquito breeding remains the primary driver of the surge. (Newswire)