The number of dengue fever cases in the capital city region of Colombo, Sri Lanka has eclipsed 13,000 cases through Sep.22, according to the Epidemiology Unit of the Sri Lanka Ministry of Health.

Aedes aegypti Image/CDC
Aedes aegypti
Image/CDC

The 13,059 dengue cases in Colombo accounts for more than 30 percent of the 41,173 cases reported nationwide.

In addition to the cases reported in Colombo district, 5349 cases have been reported in Gampaha, 3332 in Kandy and 2777 in Kalutara.

The number of cases seen to date in 2016 is double the number during the same period in 2015 (20,619).

Local media report the number of dengue-related fatalities in Sri Lanka is 59 as of the end of August.

Dengue infects nearly 400 million people across more than 120 countries each year. Most survive with few or no symptoms, but more than two million annually develop what can be a dangerous dengue hemorrhagic fever, which kills more than 25,000 people each year.

Dengue can cause a high fever, severe headaches, severe pain behind the eyes, rash and joint, muscle or bone pain. Dengue hemorrhagic fever occurs when blood leaks from blood vessels into other parts of the body, which can lead to failure of the circulatory system, shock and possibly death, without prompt treatment.

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