COLOMBO, June 29 -- Sri Lanka has recorded over 53,000 dengue cases this year, including over 19,000 infections in June alone, with health authorities warning that the re-emergence of a previously circulating virus strain, coupled with persistent mosquito breeding following last year's floods, is driving a sharp nationwide increase in cases.

According to the National Dengue Control Unit (NDCU), the country's dengue tally had reached 53,159, and the death toll had reach 31 by midnight on Saturday (27), with the Western, Southern, Sabaragamuwa, Central and Eastern Provinces accounting for the highest number of infections.

NDCU officials say the resurgence is being fuelled by the return of Dengue Virus Serotype 2 (DENV-2), which now accoun...