Rainfall fuels rise in dengue and leptospirosis cases: Expert

By Leenah Wahab

As a cyclonic storm sweeps over Sri Lanka, health experts warn of the spread of waterborne and communicable diseases in regions experiencing heavy rains and flooding.

Senior Consultant Physician Dr. Ananda Wijewickrama told Daily Mirror the rainy season generally sees an uptick in diarrhoea, vomiting, leptospirosis, typhoid, and dengue fever. "This is not an immediate problem, as water is flowing due to the rain; however, when stagnant water collects, we will see outbreaks," he said.

Director of the National Dengue Control Unit (NDCU) of the Ministry of Health, Dr. Sudath Samaraweera stated that the total dengue cases for November was 3,024, and 45,373 in 2024. "There could be an increase due to the rainfall; however, we have very good control measures in place since the beginning of this year and the start of the monsoon," he said.

According to the NDCU Weekly Update, 880 dengue cases were reported across 23 districts between November 18 and 24- a 25.5% increase from the previous week.

Leptospirosis, commonly known as rat fever, has also surged. Reports indicate over 500 cases in the Gampaha District alone, with more than 5,000 cases islandwide in 2024.

Dr. Wijewickrama urged the public to adopt preventative measures to reduce the risk of infection, including drinking boiled, cooled water to kill harmful bacteria and prevent the spread of waterborne diseases.

He also noted that exposure to muddy water can lead to - leptospirosis. "Doxycycline, a broad-spectrum antibiotic, is prescribed to farmers exposed to waterlogged environments during cultivation season to treat for leptospirosis," he said. "It is important to increase sanitation and container collection to mitigate the risk of an outbreak through contaminated or stagnant water."