Approximately 49.98% of dengue cases were reported from the Western province. The highest numbers of dengue cases were reported during the fourth week of 2015, Epidemiology Unit revealed.

The other districts which recorded a large number of suspected dengue cases are Gampaha (2,630), Batticaloa (1,314) Jaffna (1,220), Kalutara (970), Kurunegala (929), Kandy (802), Ratnapura (726), Puttalam (538), Trincomalee (508), Galle (497) and Kalmunai (438).

Last year, too, the highest numbers of dengue cases were reported from Colombo (14,711), Gampaha (8,811), Kalutara (2,336), Kandy (2,336), Ratnapura (2,823), Kurunegala (2,464), Jaffna (1,839), Kegalle (1,724), Batticaloa (970), Puttalam (916), Trincomalee (661), Matale (649) and Anuradhapura (632).

According to the Senior Spokesperson for the Dengue Control Unit (DCU) Dr. Nimalka Pannilahetti there had been a noticeable reduction in the number of cases reported this year in comparison to 2014 and she says that the cause for the reduction in the cases can be attributed to effective dengue prevention programmes.

The Epidemiology Unit is planning to hold another mosquito control week in early September in view of the monsoonal rains.