The Ministry of Health and Indigenous Medical Services warns that the country should be prepared for an increase in dengue cases over the upcoming southwest monsoon season. “The focus of the entire country is now on the Covid-19 pandemic; however, we also need to be prepared for an impending dengue outbreak. In the coming days, an action plan to eradicate dengue and to inspect potential mosquito breeding sites will be set in motion. If we do not take necessary precautions before the monsoon commences, our healthcare system will have to bear a double burden,” Minister of Health Pavithra Wanniarachchi stated. Analysing the historic records of dengue prevalence in the country, there has been a spike in the number of cases reported during monsoon periods from May-September and December-February. The highest number of dengue cases from across Sri Lanka was reported in January this year at 11,595. Nevertheless, the numbers have been declining and in April, only 383 cases of dengue were reported due to limited rainfall experienced in most parts of the country. However, since most worksites that have high potential of turning into mosquito breeding grounds are now deserted due to the ongoing curfew, there is a probability that the mosquito population too has increased, the Minister pointed out. By Sarah Hannan