Sri Lanka has documented over 91,000 dengue infections and 68 fatalities so far in 2026, with July recording the highest monthly caseload and the Western Province accounting for more than half of all cases.
Sri Lanka's dengue outbreak continues to escalate, with the National Dengue Control Unit confirming 91,346 cases and 68 deaths as of mid-August 2026. The case fatality rate stands at 0.07%, according to health officials monitoring the situation.
July emerged as the peak month for infections, registering 29,968 cases, followed by June with 21,533 cases. The first two weeks of August alone recorded 6,004 new infections, indicating the outbreak remains active. Geographically, the outbreak shows a pronounced concentration in the Western Province, which accounts for approximately 53% of all recorded cases. Within this region, Gampaha district leads with 19,467 cases, followed closely by Colombo with 18,133 cases. Other significantly affected areas include Kalutara, Kandy, and Galle districts.
Provincial data reveals disparities between sources regarding case numbers in certain regions. While both reports agree the Western Province has the highest burden, one source indicates the Southern Province recorded 13,479 cases, whereas another reports 11,679 cases in the same province. Similarly, Central Province figures vary between 8,160 and 8,546 cases across the sources. Health authorities have identified 119 Medical Officer of Health areas as high-risk zones in Week 31, with an average of 1,509 new cases being reported daily.
Public health officials continue urging residents to implement preventive measures, including eliminating mosquito breeding grounds and seeking prompt medical care upon experiencing dengue symptoms.
