Sri Lanka Faces Largest Dengue Outbreak in a Decade, Deploys Drones and Military
Summary
Sri Lanka is experiencing its largest dengue outbreak in nearly a decade with over 76,000 infections and 53 deaths this year. The government has deployed drones and military forces to combat the spread of the disease, focusing on mosquito breeding grounds and patient care amid hospital overcrowding.
Key Points
- Sri Lanka is facing its largest dengue outbreak in nearly ten years with over 76,000 infected and 53 deaths this year.
- The armed forces, including the air force using drones, along with the army and police, are actively engaged in controlling the outbreak.
- Hospitals are under severe pressure with a sharp increase in dengue patients, especially in regions like Negombo.
- Health authorities are conducting sanitation campaigns, destroying thousands of mosquito breeding sites, and considering the use of a dengue vaccine despite challenges due to multiple virus strains.
