In a concerning development, the number of Dengue fever cases in Sri Lanka has soared to the highest levels in the past three years, with a total of 78,022 cases reported in the first eleven months of 2023.
This significant increase is raising alarms among health authorities.
The National Dengue Control Unit provided comparative data, revealing that the recorded cases for the years 2020, 2021, and 2022 were 31,139, 35,054, and 76,467, respectively. The current year has surpassed these figures, indicating a notable spike in Dengue infections.
As of December 5, 2023, the Colombo district has reported the highest number of cases, reaching 16,363. This surge has placed a significant burden on the healthcare infrastructure in the district, prompting heightened efforts for control and prevention.
The Western Province emerges as the hardest-hit region, with 36,266 cases recorded, representing over 47 percent of the total cases nationwide. Health officials are closely monitoring the situation and implementing measures to curb the spread of the disease in this densely populated province.
In addition, the country has also witnessed an uptick in Dengue-related fatalities, with 46 reported deaths. The rising death toll underscores the severity of the situation, prompting a collective response from both health authorities and the general public to address and mitigate the Dengue crisis.
Authorities are urging citizens to take proactive measures to eliminate mosquito breeding grounds and follow recommended precautions to prevent further escalation of Dengue cases.
