Sri Lanka braces for dengue surge amid floods

By Sheain Fernandopulle 

Sri Lanka is bracing for a renewed dengue surge as cases spike sharply and floodwaters left by Cyclone Ditwah raise fears of fresh outbreaks.   

Health authorities say dengue cases have risen dramatically, with 4, 9000 cases recorded in 2024, compared to 51,479 cases in 2025.   

In January 2024, only 4,931 cases were reported, while the first six days of this year have already seen 1,598 infections, averaging over 250 cases a day.   

Speaking to Daily Mirror, Dr. Preshila Samaraweera told Daily Mirror that in the wake of the Cyclone, authorities have prioritised fogging operations in camps, strict waste management, and the immediate transfer of fever patients to hospitals.   

She strongly urged the public not to arrive at their own conclusions or self-medicate if fever symptoms appear, warning that delays in seeking proper treatment could prove dangerous.   

Dr. Samaraweera stressed that anyone whose fever persists beyond two days must seek immediate medical attention from a qualified doctor   

According to the NDCU, the Western Province accounts for the majority of cases, with high numbers also reported from Colombo, Gampaha, Kalutara, Kandy, Galle, Matara, Jaffna, Batticaloa, Kurunegala, Ratnapura and Kegalle.   

Health officials have identified mosquito breeding grounds mainly in schools, government institutions, places of worship, and abandoned buildings and lands.