The number of dengue patients reported so far this year has increased to 76,044, according to the National Dengue Control Unit.
According to the unit’s data, 162 health medical officer divisions across the island have been identified as dengue high-risk areas. The number of patients has been continuously increasing in the past few months and its peak was recorded in the first 19 days of this month.
8,590 patients were reported in May, 21,537 patients in June and 20,666 patients in the last 19 days of July alone. The number of additional patients reported yesterday alone is 2625.
53 deaths have been reported due to dengue this year The death rate is 0.07%.
At the provincial level, the Western Province has the highest number of patients, accounting for 52.61% of the total patients, or 40,009 patients. The Southern Province has reported 11,707 patients (15.40%) and the Central Province has reported 6,431 patients (8.46%).
The health sector has urged the public to keep their surroundings clean and to seek immediate medical attention if they have symptoms of fever.