Sri Lanka ranks among the top 30 highest dengue endemicity in Southeast Asia - WHO

The World Health Organization has expressed concern over a record surge in dengue cases.

According to the WHO, Sri Lanka ranks among the top 30 countries with the highest dengue endemicity worldwide.

The UN World Health Organization said this year's surprising spike in dengue infections globally represents a potentially high public health threat.

The warning came as WHO reported more than five million dengue infections and 5,000 deaths from the disease worldwide this year.

WHO Team Lead on Arboviruses Dr. Diana Rojas Alvarez said that the threat required “the maximal attention and response from all levels” of the UN health agency to support countries in controlling current dengue outbreaks and prepare for the upcoming dengue season. 

In the WHO Southeast Asia region, 10 out of 11 Member States are known to be endemic for dengue virus.

In 2023, several countries, including Bangladesh and Thailand, have reported a notable surge in dengue cases compared to previous years. In particular, Sri Lanka India, Indonesia, Myanmar, and Thailand rank among the world's 30 most highly endemic countries.