The unprecedented magnitude of the 2017 dengue outbreak in Sri Lanka provides lessons for future mosquito-borne infection control and prevention

Background: The outbreak of dengue during 2017 in Sri Lanka is the worst incidence of this mosquito-borne virus infection in the South Asian country since records began. Methods: In this retrospective study, up to the end of December 2017 over 185,000 clinical cases were reported from all regions of the island nation. Results: This crisis placed an overwhelming burden on Sri Lanka’s public health system and also had a significant negative impact on its economy. Conclusions: The unsurpassed level of morbidity and mortality has highlighted the pressing need for an effective operational plan to both manage the existing outbreak and to reduce the threat of a future episode of disease. This should involve an integrated nationwide program of vector surveillance and control, tertiary care of severely affected individuals and the implementation of measures to prevent future infections, including widespread vaccination.