• Health officials urge immediate preventative measures

Reported dengue cases in Sri Lanka have surpassed 80,000 this year, with health authorities reporting a total of 80,114 cases as of midnight on Thursday (23), according to surveillance data from the National Dengue Control Unit.According to the latest figures, 24,739 dengue cases were reported in July alone, marking the highest monthly amount recorded so far in 2026. June recorded 21,534 cases, while May saw 8,590 cases.The dengue outbreak has also claimed 59 lives this year, with a case fatality rate of 0.07%.

The Western Province continues to account for more than half of all dengue illnesses reported in the country, with 42,414 cases, or 52.94% of the national total.he Southern Province has also recorded a total of 12,154 cases.Among districts, Gampaha reported the highest number of dengue cases with 16,950 infections, accounting for 21.16% of total cases. Colombo followed closely with 16,021 cases, accounting for 20% of the country’s dengue burden.Other districts reporting high numbers included Matara, Kandy, Kalutara, Ratnapura, and Galle.

Health authorities have repeatedly urged the public to destroy all mosquito breeding areas, especially as weather patterns change, creating conditions favourable to dengue transmission, while conducting house-to-house inspections and conducting awareness programs