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Sri Lanka deploys drones and troops to curb dengue outbreak
The outbreak has reached 76,044 infections since January, with 53 deaths and hospitals treating nearly 1,800 dengue patients in less than two months in Negombo.
Sri Lanka’s public health services and hospitals are battling the worst dengue outbreak in nearly a decade, and are enlisting the country’s armed forces to help curb mosquito breeding, Reuters reports. The campaign includes Air Force drones tracking stagnant rooftop water after monsoon rains, and military and police teams inspecting homes, building sites, and schools.
Since the outbreak began in January, Sri Lanka has recorded 76,044 infections and 53 deaths, according to health authorities, with case counts approaching the level of a 2017 outbreak that topped more than 100,000. Officials said the spread is being driven by a more virulent strain.
In Negombo, about 35 km north of Colombo, consultant Lalindra Dias said doctors are facing a rapid rise in patients, as a “large influx” can arrive quickly at hospitals. Reuters reports that the district general hospital treated nearly 1,800 sufferers in less than two months since June, up from about 1,050 in 2025.
Hospitals have rushed to expand capacity by adding beds, converting wards for dengue care, and stepping up working hours as the first two weeks of July brought an influx of more than 18,000 cases. Health authorities said doctors and nurses are working to manage the surge while continuing efforts to eliminate mosquito breeding sites.