Sri Lanka has deployed military personnel to support efforts to contain a worsening dengue fever outbreak that has placed increasing pressure on the country’s healthcare system and raised fears of a public health emergency.

The government announced that members of the army, navy, and air force will join a special task force established to identify and eliminate mosquito breeding grounds across the country as infections continue to rise at an alarming rate. The move comes amid growing concerns that hospitals may struggle to cope with the increasing number of patients requiring treatment.

Health authorities reported that nearly 50,000 dengue cases and 29 related deaths have been recorded so far this year, with a sharp increase in infections since the beginning of June. More than 1,000 new cases were reported in a single day this week, while hospitals are now admitting over 1,000 dengue patients daily.

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s office said the military would work alongside health officials and local authorities to locate and destroy mosquito breeding sites, particularly in areas experiencing the highest infection rates.

“Laws will also be strictly enforced against those allowing mosquito breeding on their premises, in addition to setting up the special military unit,” the President’s office said.

Authorities have also announced a nationwide clean-up campaign aimed at eliminating stagnant water and other environments where mosquitoes thrive. The initiative will involve public institutions, schools, communities, and local government authorities as part of broader efforts to curb the spread of the disease.

Dengue fever, which is transmitted by the Aedes mosquito, can cause high fever, severe headaches, nausea, vomiting, and muscle pain. In severe cases, the disease can lead to internal bleeding, organ failure, and death. The mosquito responsible for spreading the virus breeds primarily in stagnant water, making poor sanitation and flooding major contributors to outbreaks.

Health officials warned that the situation could deteriorate further if the current trend continues. Kapila Kannangara, head of Sri Lanka’s dengue control unit, said medical facilities are already facing significant pressure.

“Hospitals are already under pressure. We don’t want to have a situation like the one we faced in 2017,” Kannangara told reporters in Colombo.

The current outbreak has been linked to a combination of monsoon rains, flooding, and the accumulation of stagnant water, all of which have created ideal breeding conditions for mosquitoes. Authorities also cited poor waste disposal practices as a contributing factor in some areas.

Earlier this month, health officials warned that the country was experiencing one of its worst dengue outbreaks in recent years. More than 44,000 cases and 28 deaths had already been recorded by mid-June, with infections rising rapidly in Colombo and several other districts. Public health experts fear the final tally for 2026 could approach levels recorded during the major 2019 outbreak, when more than 105,000 cases were reported nationwide.

The World Health Organization has repeatedly warned that dengue and other mosquito-borne diseases are spreading more rapidly and across wider geographic areas due to the effects of climate change. Rising temperatures, increased rainfall, and extreme weather events have created conditions that enable mosquitoes to thrive and expand their range.

As the outbreak continues, Sri Lankan authorities are urging residents to inspect homes, workplaces, and public spaces for standing water, cooperate with clean-up operations, and take preventive measures to reduce mosquito populations. Officials say additional response measures may be introduced if infections continue to rise in the coming weeks.