Health authorities have assured that no outbreaks of monsoon-related diseases have been reported yet, with mitigatory measures underway given the ongoing southwest monsoon accompanied by heavy showers. 

Epidemiology Unit Head Dr. Samitha Ginige told The Sunday Morning: “The Ministry of Health has a stringent monitoring mechanism for communicable diseases in affected areas. No outbreaks have been reported yet and all possible precautionary measures have been taken.”

Ministry of Health Health Promotion Bureau Director Dr. Ranjith Batuwanthudawe noted that since dengue was the greatest threat during the monsoon, the National Dengue Control Unit (NDCU) had made all necessary preparations. 

According to NDCU updates as of 19 May, dengue patients within the 19th week of 2024 (6-12 May) stood at 523, while the numbers for the corresponding week in 2023 stood at 2,054.

It notes that continued close monitoring of disease trends is ongoing at the Medical Officer of Health (MOH) division level.

Meanwhile, Kelaniya University Faculty of Medicine Department of Public Health Cadre Chair and Senior Professor A.R. Wickremasinghe noted that there was a likelihood of the spread of waterborne and vector-borne diseases such as dengue during the monsoon season, with diarrhoea also being a possibility due to the interconnection between the water supply and the sewage system. 

He noted that dengue posed the highest threat of an outbreak, adding that it was more likely to occur in urban areas since the vector was different from that of rural areas. 

Prof. Wickremasinghe further noted that the bacterial infection leptospirosis, outbreaks of which commonly take place following rainfall, mostly occurred among agricultural workers and were not necessarily related to monsoonal showers, with there being a prophylactic treatment for the disease. 

The Epidemiology Unit notes that seasonal variability is seen in leptospirosis occurrence, as infections peak following the two monsoons and with more infections following floods.