Sri Lanka’s dengue outbreak has intensified, with the official death toll rising to 56 and the total number of reported infections reaching 77,028 so far in 2026.
Health authorities said the case fatality rate currently stands at 0.07%, warning that the continued rise in infections is placing increasing pressure on hospitals across the country.
According to the latest surveillance data, July has recorded 21,650 dengue cases, slightly exceeding June’s total of 21,537. Combined, the two months account for more than half of all dengue infections reported this year, reflecting the seasonal surge associated with the monsoon period.
The Western Province remains the worst-affected region, reporting 40,573 cases, or 52.67% of the national total. Gampaha District has recorded the highest number of infections with 16,164 cases, followed by Colombo with 15,341.
The Southern Province has reported 11,867 cases, while the Central and Sabaragamuwa provinces have each exceeded 6,000 infections. Although districts such as Mullaitivu and Kilinochchi continue to report comparatively fewer cases, the disease has spread across all parts of the country.
Health officials have also identified 162 high-risk Medical Officer of Health (MOH) areas during Week 28, with an average of 2,652 new cases being recorded in daily surveillance.
Authorities continue to urge the public to eliminate mosquito breeding sites, maintain clean surroundings, and seek immediate medical attention if dengue symptoms develop.
