Report from World Health Organization.
KEY HIGHLIGHTS
- There is an increase in the number of dengue cases in Sri Lanka this year. Since January until 7th July 2017, as many as 82,543 dengue cases, including 250 deaths, have been reported by the Ministry of Health, Nutrition and Indigenous Medicine.
- The number of cases this year is three-and-a-half times more than the average number of cases for the same period between 2010 and 2016.
- Based on surveillance data, dengue cases peaked in June 2017, coinciding with the South-West monsoon rains which commenced in late May.
SITUATION OVERVIEW
Situation update
- Approximately 43% of cases were reported from the Western Province.
- The most affected areas are the Colombo district, 18,761 cases; Gampaha, 12,121 cases; Kurunegala, 5,065 cases; Kalutara, 4,589 cases and Kandy, 4,209 cases.
- Preliminary laboratory results have identified dengue virus serotype 2 (DENV-2) as the circulating strain in this outbreak.
Public health concerns
- The current dengue outbreak follows heavy rains and subsequent flooding and landslides, which affected 600 000 people in 15 of the 25 districts in the country.
- Heavy monsoon rains have led to standing water pools, leading to a delay / failure in clearing of waste and other potential breeding grounds for mosquito larvae.
- The numbers of dengue cases are higher in urban and suburban areas.
read full report here: dengue_outbreak_2017_sit_rep_1
[WHO Country Office for Sri Lanka: Sri Lanka Dengue Outbreak Situation Report 01 (11 July 2017)]