2017 dengue outbreak in Sri Lanka

Disease	Dengue fever
Pathogen strain
Source
Location	Sri Lanka
First outbreak
First reported
Index case
Dates
Date	2017

The 2017 dengue outbreak in Sri Lanka was a significant public health crisis that occurred in Sri Lanka, resulting in the highest number of dengue cases recorded in the country's history. The outbreak was primarily caused by the Aedes aegypti mosquito, which is the main vector for the dengue virus.

Background

Dengue fever is a mosquito-borne viral infection that causes flu-like symptoms and can develop into a potentially lethal complication called severe dengue. The disease is endemic in Sri Lanka, with outbreaks occurring regularly, particularly during the monsoon seasons when mosquito breeding is at its peak.

Epidemiology

In 2017, Sri Lanka experienced an unprecedented surge in dengue cases, with a total of 186,101 cases reported and 440 deaths. The outbreak was attributed to several factors, including:

• Increased rainfall: Heavy monsoon rains led to widespread flooding, creating ideal breeding conditions for mosquitoes.
• Urbanization: Rapid urbanization without adequate waste management contributed to the proliferation of mosquito breeding sites.
• Viral strain: The predominant strain during the outbreak was Dengue virus serotype 2, which had not been the dominant strain in previous years, leading to a lack of immunity in the population.

Response

The Sri Lankan government, along with international health organizations, implemented several measures to control the outbreak:

• Public awareness campaigns: Efforts were made to educate the public on preventing mosquito bites and eliminating breeding sites.
• Vector control: Measures such as fogging and the use of larvicides were intensified to reduce mosquito populations.
• Healthcare system support: Hospitals were equipped to handle the increased number of patients, and temporary facilities were set up to manage the overflow.

Impact

The outbreak had a significant impact on the healthcare system in Sri Lanka, straining resources and highlighting the need for improved vector control and public health infrastructure. The economic impact was also considerable, with increased healthcare costs and loss of productivity due to illness.

Prevention and Future Measures

To prevent future outbreaks, Sri Lanka has focused on:

• Improving waste management: Reducing potential mosquito breeding sites through better waste disposal practices.
• Community engagement: Involving communities in vector control efforts and awareness programs.
• Research and surveillance: Enhancing surveillance systems to detect and respond to outbreaks more effectively.

Also see

• Dengue fever
• Aedes aegypti
• Public health in Sri Lanka
• 2019 dengue outbreak in the Philippines