July 23, Colombo (LNW): Sri Lanka’s dengue outbreak has intensified significantly, with the total number of reported infections this year climbing to 79,016, according to the latest figures released by the National Dengue Control Unit (NDCU) shortly before midnight on 22 July.
The data shows that July has emerged as the most severe month of the year, recording 23,641 cases in just over three weeks. The sharp increase follows 21,534 infections reported in June, indicating that transmission has accelerated considerably with the onset of favourable breeding conditions for mosquitoes.
Earlier in the year, the country recorded 8,590 cases in May, while both March and April registered fewer than 6,000 infections each. January and February reported 7,866 and 5,721 cases respectively, illustrating the rapid escalation witnessed during the past two months.
The Western Province continues to account for the majority of infections, contributing 41,753 cases, or nearly 53 per cent of the national caseload. Health authorities say the region remains the country’s primary hotspot due to its high population density, urban environment and persistent mosquito breeding sites.
Among individual districts, Gampaha has reported the highest number of infections with 16,676 cases, narrowly ahead of Colombo with 15,748. Matara, Kandy, Kalutara, Ratnapura and Galle have also recorded substantial case numbers, reflecting the widespread nature of the outbreak. Within the Colombo Municipal Council (CMC) area alone, 3,184 dengue infections have been confirmed so far this year.
Beyond the Western Province, the Southern Province has recorded 12,041 cases, while the Central and Sabaragamuwa provinces have each reported more than 6,500 infections, highlighting that dengue transmission is affecting communities across much of the country.
The NDCU also confirmed that 57 dengue-related deaths have been reported in 2026, resulting in a case fatality rate of 0.07 per cent. During Epidemiological Week 29, health officials identified 175 Medical Officer of Health (MOH) areas as high-risk zones, with an average of approximately 2,391 new infections being reported each day.
Public health authorities have renewed calls for communities to eliminate stagnant water where mosquitoes breed, maintain clean surroundings and cooperate with vector control programmes. Officials warned that without sustained preventive measures and public participation, the number of infections could continue to rise in the coming weeks, particularly if favourable weather conditions persist.
