- Sri Lanka is experiencing its worst dengue outbreak in almost a decade, with over 77,000 infections and 56 deaths reported since January.
- The government has deployed military drones to identify mosquito breeding sites and established a monitoring unit, with police inspecting homes and public areas.
- Health officials attribute the surge to a more virulent DENV-2 strain of the virus and the aftermath of Cyclone Ditwah, which created numerous breeding grounds.
- Hospitals are under severe strain, adding beds and extending staff hours to cope with a significant influx of patients, particularly in high-risk areas like Colombo.
- Authorities are considering a dengue vaccine, though public health experts caution about its limited benefits due to the virus's complexity and multiple circulating strains.
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