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Dengue deaths reach 72 as island's confirmed cases exceed 94,000

Sri Lanka's dengue fever outbreak has claimed 72 lives with confirmed cases now surpassing 94,000, marking a significant escalation in the health crisis gripping the island nation.

LSN Sri Lanka · 26 August 2026

Dengue deaths reach 72 as island's confirmed cases exceed 94,000

The dengue outbreak continues to pose a serious public health challenge across Sri Lanka, with authorities reporting a mounting death toll and rapidly increasing case numbers. The confirmed case count has now exceeded 94,000, underscoring the scale and severity of the epidemic affecting communities nationwide.

The virus has spread across multiple districts, placing considerable strain on the nation's healthcare system as medical facilities work to manage the influx of patients requiring treatment for dengue fever and its potentially fatal complications, including dengue haemorrhagic fever.

Health authorities have maintained surveillance operations and ramped up awareness campaigns urging the public to take preventive measures against mosquito-borne transmission. Recommendations include the elimination of standing water where mosquitoes breed, the use of protective clothing, and insect repellents.

The outbreak represents one of the more severe dengue epidemics to strike Sri Lanka in recent years, with health officials continuing to monitor the situation closely. Authorities have appealed for public cooperation in containment efforts as the island seeks to curb further spread of the disease.