Sri Lanka dengue cases rise to 61,060 as Western Province hospitals face pressure

COLOMBO, July 6 (Xinhua) -- Sri Lanka has recorded 61,060 dengue cases so far this year, with 2,604 new infections reported during the past 24 hours, the National Dengue Control Unit (NDCU) said Monday.

The Western Province remains the center of the outbreak, accounting for 32,054 cases, or 52.5 percent of the national total. The Southern Province has reported 9,674 cases, followed by Sabaragamuwa with 5,237, Central with 4,823, Eastern with 2,979, and North Western with 2,778.

The NDCU has identified 142 Medical Officer of Health (MOH) divisions across the country as high-risk dengue zones. June recorded the highest monthly case total so far this year, with 21,546 infections.

Several hospitals in the Western Province have reached maximum capacity amid the increase in dengue patients, according to the NDCU. Acting Director Dr. Kapila Kannangara said the rise in infections has placed severe pressure on hospitals and made patient care increasingly difficult.

Kannangara said authorities have prepared a three-phase strategy covering short-term, medium-term, and long-term measures to manage the outbreak. However, emergency short-term interventions are being prioritized because of the current pressure on hospitals and the risk that deaths could rise if infections continue to increase. Enditem