COLOMBO, Aug. 3 -- Sri Lanka recorded an 18% decline in dengue cases compared to the previous week, the National Dengue Control Unit (NDCU) said on Sunday (2), even as the country's total caseload this year surpassed 86,000.

According to the latest NDCU data, 86,386 dengue cases and 62 related deaths have been reported so far in 2026, with 1,034 infections recorded during the first few days of August alone.

Health authorities said Gampaha continues to report the highest number of cases, accounting for 18,321 infections or 21.2% of the national total. Colombo follows with 17,101 cases, while Kandy (6,032), Matara (5,848) and Kalutara (5,633) complete the five most affected districts.

Mullaitivu has recorded the lowest number of infectio...