The National Dengue Control Unit will conduct a special mosquito control campaign from 2 to 7 November, targeting high-risk areas amid an increase in mosquito breeding, the Unit announced yesterday (22).

Community Physician and Specialist Dr Preshila Samaraweera said 104,094 dengue cases and 79 dengue-related deaths had been reported nationwide since January this year (2026).

Speaking at a media briefing, she said the highest number of cases had been reported from the Colombo District, followed by Gampaha, Kandy, Kalutara, Matara, Galle, Ratnapura and Kegalle.

A total of 32 Medical Officer of Health (MOH) areas have been identified as high-risk, while an increase in mosquito larval density has been observed in high-risk areas across 13 Districts.

Dr Samaraweera said the campaign aimed to control mosquito breeding and reduce dengue infections in the coming weeks.

Meanwhile, Unit Entomologist Dr Sakunthala Janaki warned that mosquito breeding had increased significantly in several parts of the country.

Surveys conducted in October found that approximately 8.7% of residential premises inspected had mosquito breeding sites. The corresponding figure for Government institutions had risen from around 17% in September to 33% in October.

Although dengue cases declined during August, September and October, the national premises index, which measures the proportion of inspected premises with mosquito breeding sites, increased from approximately 6.5% in August to around 9% in October.

Dr Janaki warned that dengue cases could rise within the next four to six weeks if mosquito breeding sites were not properly eliminated.

The authorities have urged the public to remove stagnant water and destroy mosquito breeding sites in homes, workplaces and surrounding areas to prevent a further increase in infections.