Colombo, Jan 16 (Daily Mirror) -  Sri Lanka is grappling with a surge in Dengue fever cases, logging a staggering 380 cases per day. 

Health experts have raised alarm bells as the country battles this alarming spike in mosquito-borne illnesses.

The latest data from the Epidemiology Unit, as of January 15, reveals a total of 5,829 reported Dengue cases, with a significant concentration of over 1,700 cases reported from the Western Province alone. 

The capital city, Colombo, remains a hotspot, contributing to a substantial portion of the reported cases.

In light of the alarming development, the Health Ministry declared a special Dengue prevention week starting from January 07 to 13 where cleaning campaigns as well as dengue prevention and awareness campaigns were carried out islandwide. 

The year 2023 witnessed a record number of 88,398 Dengue cases, with Colombo District reporting the highest incidence at 18,650 cases. 

December marked a particularly distressing month, recording 11,498 cases, the highest monthly tally for Dengue in 2023.

Health authorities are intensifying efforts to curb the spread of Dengue fever, urging communities to take preventive measures and raising awareness about mosquito breeding grounds.