Sri Lanka, Oct. 27 -- Health officials are expressing serious concern over a potential spike in waterborne and mosquito-transmitted diseases following the recent period of intense rainfall across the country.

Senior Consultant Physician Dr. Ananda Wijewickrama warned that the downpours are creating ideal conditions for the rapid transmission of illnesses like dengue, leptospirosis (rat fever), hepatitis A, typhoid, and diarrhoea.

The primary risk stems from rainwater potentially polluting clean drinking water supplies and creating extensive breeding sites for mosquitoes.

"Flooded and stagnant areas become perfect breeding grounds for mosquitoes. At the same time, floodwater can mix with urine from infected animals, leading to the sprea...