Srilanka, June 28 -- Health experts have rejected recent statements by Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya and Deputy Minister of Health Dr. Hansaka Wijemuni attributing the current surge in dengue cases to a new or modified strain of the dengue virus, insisting there is no scientific evidence to support such claims.

Consultant Paediatrician Dr. LakKumar Fernando told the Daily Mirror that no laboratory in Sri Lanka has identified a new dengue virus strain and stressed that there is no evidence to support claims that a new variant is responsible for the recent increase in infections.

"No one, no laboratory has found a new strain. There is no evidence for such a claim," Dr. Fernando said.

Meanwhile, Senior Consultant Physician Dr. Uditha...