Sri Lanka battles dengue surge as more than 52,000 infections sweep island

Sri Lanka has recorded more than 52,000 dengue cases this year, with 31 deaths reported by midnight on Saturday, June 27, as health authorities warn that a shift in the dominant virus strain and ongoing mosquito breeding are fueling the outbreak.

The increase in infections has been linked to the resurgence of Dengue Virus Serotype 2 (DENV-2), which now accounts for around 75 percent of confirmed cases. DENV-3, the dominant strain throughout 2023, 2024 and 2025, currently represents about 25 percent of infections, Xinhua reports.

National Dengue Control Unit Director Kapila Kannangara said DENV-2 is not a new strain, but one that persisted after the 2017 outbreak despite being brought under control. He noted that many people are now more vulnerable because immunity developed in recent years was primarily against DENV-3.

Kannangara also identified the impact of the November 2025 cyclone as a key contributor to the outbreak, saying floods, landslides and uncleared debris created favourable conditions for mosquito breeding.

He added that intermittent rainfall since then has allowed mosquitoes to continue breeding outside Sri Lanka’s typical dengue seasons, which are usually associated with the South-West and North-East monsoons.

Poor waste management has further complicated prevention efforts, with discarded cups, cans, bottles and other containers continuing to collect rainwater and serve as breeding sites for mosquitoes, Kannangara said.

By Jeyhun Aghazada