July 07, Colombo (LNW): The Government Medical Officers’ Association (GMOA) has cautioned that Sri Lanka may be on the verge of a large-scale dengue outbreak, warning that the true number of infections could be far greater than the figures reflected in official statistics.
Speaking at a media briefing, GMOA Media Spokesman Dr Chamil Wijesinghe said the current rise in dengue cases bears worrying similarities to the conditions that preceded the country’s severe outbreak in 2017. He urged authorities and the public not to underestimate the growing threat.
According to Dr Wijesinghe, official data indicate that around 1,500 dengue cases are being recorded each day. However, he argued that these figures capture only a portion of the actual situation, as many infected individuals recover at home without seeking hospital treatment and are therefore not included in the national surveillance system.
He noted that dengue infections have risen by approximately 150 per cent over the past week, describing the sharp increase as a serious public health concern requiring urgent attention.
Dr Wijesinghe said the cumulative number of reported dengue cases this year had surpassed 61,000 by yesterday, with 1,422 new infections recorded within a single day. He warned that the sustained upward trend suggests the country could be heading towards an outbreak on a scale comparable to that experienced nearly a decade ago.
While acknowledging that health authorities have introduced a range of mosquito control and disease prevention measures, the GMOA maintained that those interventions have yet to produce a noticeable decline in case numbers.
The association stressed that effective dengue control would require not only stronger public health measures but also greater public participation in eliminating mosquito breeding sites, particularly as the disease continues to spread in many parts of the country. Dr Wijesinghe said the coming weeks would be critical in determining whether the current surge can be brought under control before it develops into a more widespread epidemic.