Dengue toll climbs: 107,829 cases and 81 deaths so far this year

Sri Lanka has recorded 107,829 dengue cases and 81 deaths so far this year, according to the National Dengue Control Unit.

Gampaha district has reported the highest number of cases at 22,502, followed by Colombo with 20,799 and Kandy with 8,803. July saw the year's peak with 29,964 cases in a single month, while 1,577 cases were reported in early November.

Health officials say the continuing caseload, coming as heavy rains create fresh mosquito breeding sites across the western districts, makes community-level source reduction critical. Households are urged to clear stagnant water from containers, gutters and discarded items around their premises.

Dengue is spread by the Aedes mosquito, which breeds in clean stagnant water and bites mainly during daylight hours. High fever, severe headache, pain behind the eyes, joint and muscle pain and rash are its typical symptoms, and doctors advise seeking medical care early rather than self-medicating, since some common painkillers can worsen bleeding risk in dengue patients.

A special dengue prevention week begins today, with field inspections and clean-up drives planned in high-risk areas.