Sri Lanka eyes dengue vaccine, Wolbachia programme

Colombo, July 6 (Daily Mirror) - As part of efforts to strengthen the country’s dengue prevention programme, Sri Lanka is considering introducing a dengue vaccine and adopting the Wolbachia mosquito control method

According to Health Minister Nalinda Jayatissa, discussions are underway to introduce the internationally approved dengue vaccine, which is already being used in around 41 countries with the approval of the World Health Organization.

He added that the government also plans to implement the scientifically proven Wolbachia method, which uses naturally occurring bacteria to reduce the ability of mosquitoes to transmit dengue.

Moreover, the Minister said 52.5% of all dengue cases reported this year have been recorded in the Western Province, while Colombo and Gampaha districts each account for about 20% of the country’s total cases.

He noted that a special dengue control programme has been launched in 23 high-risk Medical Officer of Health (MOH) areas across the Western Province.

He stressed that eliminating mosquito breeding sites remains the most sustainable solution to controlling dengue, while newer interventions such as vaccination and the Wolbachia programme would further strengthen prevention efforts.

Meanwhile, acting Director of the National Dengue Control Unit Dr. Kapila Kannangara said 61,060 dengue cases and 39 deaths have been reported so far in 2026. Of the deaths, five were children under the age of five, while female fatalities account for a higher proportion.