Sri Lanka reported nearly 50,000 dengue cases in 2024, with 24 fatalities and a case fatality rate of 0.05%. The Western Province accounted for 44.1% of cases. In January 2025 alone, 2,045 cases have already been recorded, highlighting ongoing public health challenges.
Sri Lanka faced a significant dengue outbreak in 2024, with nearly 50,000 reported cases and 24 fatalities, according to data from the National Dengue Control Unit (NDCU), according to Xinxua. The case fatality rate was recorded at 0.05%, highlighting the persistent threat posed by the mosquito-borne disease.
The Western Province, the country’s most densely populated region, bore the brunt of the outbreak, accounting for 44.1% of cases. This trend continues into 2025, with 2,045 dengue cases already reported in January, signalling an ongoing challenge for public health authorities.
The NDCU is urging residents to remain vigilant and take preventive measures, such as eliminating stagnant water and using protective barriers, to reduce the spread of the Aedes mosquito, the primary carrier of dengue.
Health officials have also emphasised the importance of early diagnosis and treatment to prevent severe complications. With rising numbers, dengue remains a critical health issue for Sri Lanka, necessitating collective action and public awareness to curb its impact.
On the 20th anniversary of the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami, survivors and families across Southeast and South Asia gathered to honour the 230,000 victims. Memorials were held in Indonesia, Sri Lanka, India, and Thailand, where emotional tributes and prayers were offered.
The IMF has approved the third review of Sri Lanka's $2.9 billion bailout, releasing $333 million in funding. While signs of economic recovery emerge, the country still faces critical debt restructuring challenges to move forward with the programme.
Harini Amarasuriya was reappointed as Sri Lanka's prime minister by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake. Dissanayake also appointed Vijitha Herath as foreign minister after his coalition won 159 seats in the general election. Despite strong, concerns remain over implementing IMF-backed reform.
TikTok plans to shut down its app for U.S. users if a federal ban takes effect Sunday. The shutdown goes beyond the proposed law, preventing app access entirely, while offering users a chance to download their data. This follows a law mandating ByteDance to sell U.S. assets by January 2025.
Türkiye President Recep Tayyip Erdogan urged all countries to "take their hands off" Syria.
Counterfeit alcohol poisoning in Istanbul has claimed 19 lives in 72 hours, hospitalizing 65, including 26 foreigners. Authorities closed 63 illegal vendors as the crackdown on toxic methyl alcohol continues.
Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis has officially nominated Constantine Tassoulas for presidency.
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Highland Park resident Sabrina gives a firsthand account of fleeing the devastating Southern California wildfires, as fierce 80 mph winds drive the Eaton Fire toward residential areas. In an exclusive interview, Sabrina details her experience joining the other 130,000 displaced citizens.
Reports of a two-month halt in Azerbaijani gas supplies to Serbia are false. Despite a technical issue at Shah Deniz Alpha, Shah Deniz Bravo ensures steady exports, with supplies set to resume soon. BP confirms no damage or environmental impact.
A Cessna CJ1+ aircraft (PR-GFS) crashed while landing at Gastão Madeira State Airport (UBT) in Ubatuba, Brazil, on 9 January 2025, amidst adverse weather. The crash, which claimed the pilot’s life and injured seven others, has raised concerns over private aviation safety in Brazil.
Coast Guard divers Chuck Fox and Corey Smith from the US Cutter *Polar Star* successfully repaired a leaking shaft in the freezing waters of McMurdo Sound, Antarctica.
Azerbaijan has temporarily halted its contracted natural gas supply to Bulgaria following a technical issue at BP's Alpha platform in the Shah Deniz gas field.
Counterfeit alcohol poisoning in Istanbul has claimed 19 lives in 72 hours, hospitalizing 65, including 26 foreigners. Authorities closed 63 illegal vendors as the crackdown on toxic methyl alcohol continues.
An outbreak of suspected Marburg disease in Tanzania has claimed eight lives, with nine cases reported in the Kagera region, according to the World Health Organization. The high-fatality virus, spread through close contact, poses a regional risk as surveillance efforts continue.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has confirmed that the risk to the general population from H5N1 bird flu remains low, despite the first reported death from the virus in the United States.
Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan are actively monitoring respiratory viruses, including human metapneumovirus (HMPV), as part of their efforts to control severe acute respiratory infections (SARI). Health officials in both nations are urging preventative measures to curb the spread of illnesses.
TikTok plans to shut down its app for U.S. users if a federal ban takes effect Sunday. The shutdown goes beyond the proposed law, preventing app access entirely, while offering users a chance to download their data. This follows a law mandating ByteDance to sell U.S. assets by January 2025.
Türkiye President Recep Tayyip Erdogan urged all countries to "take their hands off" Syria.
Counterfeit alcohol poisoning in Istanbul has claimed 19 lives in 72 hours, hospitalizing 65, including 26 foreigners. Authorities closed 63 illegal vendors as the crackdown on toxic methyl alcohol continues.
Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis has officially nominated Constantine Tassoulas for presidency.
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