By NewsDesk  @infectiousdiseasenews

The dengue outbreak continues in Sri Lanka and health officials warn that say it is mainly due to the current south-west monsoon.

Aedes aegypti
Image/CDC

Through September 24, the country has reported 48,495 total cases with more than 10,000 in the capital city region of Colombo, followed by Gampaha with nearly 8,000 cases.

Approximately 46.7 % of dengue cases were reported from the Western province. The National Dengue Control Unit (NDCU) reports that at least 70 deaths have been seen to date.

NDCU Director, Anura Jayasekara told that generally during July and August there was a risk of dengue cases increasing, however this year the time period had gone on for another month.Moreover, he said that due to the prevailing weather conditions the number of cases was expected to increase in the coming weeks. Dr. Jayasekara said one of the main problems was the poor response of the people.“Programmes are being conducted to increase public awareness, whereby the number of breeding places can be reduced, but without the support of the people this cannot be achieved,” he said.

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Dr. U.I. Ratnayake the Regional Director of Health Services of Kalutara told the Sunday Times that despite the reduction in the number of dengue cases this year in comparison to last year, the number of cases reported during the past two weeks had escalated. According to him, as of September 20, 3,000 dengue cases had been reported and they have identified Panadura, Wadduwa, Dodangoda, Mathugama and Bulathsinhala as high risk areas.“The prevailing rains set out the environmental conditions for dengue mosquitoes to breed and this can only be eliminated if the people’s response was much stronger,” he said.