• 1,000 new cases in the last 4 days

 The National Dengue Control Unit (NDCU) yesterday(4) stated that the number of confirmed cases of dengue has increased to nearly 40,500 during the last 6 months.

As of yesterday, the number of confirmed cases in June (2023) increased to nearly 1,000 in the last 4 days. According to the latest data from the NDCU, 40,359 dengue cases have been reported island wide from January (2023), with approximately 955 cases in June, thus far.

The highest number of cases, 20,059 (49.7%), has been reported in the Western Province. Specifically, the Gampaha District has reported 8,984 (22.2%) cases, the Colombo District 8,533 (21.1%) cases, and the Kalutara District 2,542 (6.2%) cases. Additionally, the Central Province recorded 2,906 (7.2%) cases including 2,192 (5.3%) in Kandy. Meanwhile, 3,995 (9.9%) dengue cases have been reported in the North Eastern Province including 1,416 (3.5%) in Kurunegala, and 2,579 (6.4%) in Puttalam.

Meanwhile, the National Dengue Control Programme has identified 60 Medical Officers of Health (MOH) Divisions across the Island as dengue High-risk zones. Additionally, there were special dengue prevention programmes conducted in 11 MOH areas by yesterday.

Earlier, the Health Promotion Bureau (HPB) also urged pregnant women to use mosquito repellents, and clear their surroundings of mosquito breeding sites, to reduce the risk of being affected with dengue. The HPB emphasised that pregnant women are vulnerable to contract dengue. Therefore, they must be more cautious of dengue mosquitoes.