The tally of Dengue cases reported for 2023 has surpassed the 40,000 mark, indicating that Sri Lanka is not out of the woods yet.

According to the Epidemiology Unit, as of June 03, a total of 40,206 cases have been reported so far in 2023, with the highest number of cases being recorded from the Gampaha district as 8,970.

Further, the Western Province has recorded over 20,000 cases, the highest in terms of provinces.

Moreover, the Epidemiology Unit has identified 60 high-risk MOH areas where dengue breeding places have been found in abundance.

The month of May has also logged 9,290 Dengue cases, recording the highest monthly infections since January 2023. Meanwhile, a total of 25 fatalities have been reported since January 2023.

In this context, health authorities urge people to keep their surroundings clean and destroy mosquito breeding places in order to keep dengue at bay. (Sheain Fernandopulle)