Sri Lanka Confirms Over 2,000 Dengue Cases in 2026

Health officials in Sri Lanka have reported a surprising surge in dengue fever cases early in the year, with 2,170 confirmed infections recorded during the first nine days of January 2026.

According to a report by Xinhua on January 10, 2026, Prashila Samaraweera, a Community Medical Specialist at the National Dengue Control Unit, indicated that there is a "high-risk dengue situation" across 41 Medical Officer of Health divisions.

The Sri Lankan Western Province has the highest number of cases, including the cities of Colombo, Gampaha, Kandy, Galle, Ratnapura, and Jaffna.

This early spike follows a challenging year in 2025, during which Sri Lanka reported around 50,000 dengue cases.

The World Health Organization (WHO) states that dengue is endemic year-round in Sri Lanka, which is located off India's southeast coast. Seasonal disease peaks are often associated with monsoon rains, as virus-carrying mosquitoes thrive in stagnant water.

Currently, there is no widely available dengue vaccine recommended for all travelers to Sri Lanka. Currently, three dengue vaccines are approved for use.

However, travelers and residents are advised to take preventive measures, such as eliminating standing water around homes and communities.

The WHO recommends that travelers planning to visit Sri Lanka prioritize mosquito protection measures to ensure their health from other diseases, such as chikungunya.

If departing from the United States for Sri Lanka, the CDC recommends vaccination for travelers visiting an area with a chikungunya outbreak in 2026. International travelers can obtain personal vaccination advice at local travel clinics in the USA.