Report: Dengue killed 168 in Sri Lanka

COLOMBO, Sri Lanka, July 10 (UPI) -- The Sri Lankan Ministry of Health says a dengue outbreak has killed 168 people in the country since January.

The Integrated Regional Information Networks reported the ministry said Sri Lanka has had more than 15,500 reported cases of the mosquito-borne infection during that same time period.

The spread of the infection appears to be worsening as June accounted for the highest amount of reported dengue cases to date in 2009 with 6,600 cases.

"There are a large number of cases in the hill country (central part of the country), where we have not seen so many cases in the past," said Palitha Mahipala, the health ministry's deputy director of public health.

Health experts say women and children account for more than 50 percent of all reported dengue cases, IRIN reported.

Paba Palihawadana, head of the ministry's epidemiology unit, called for the elimination of mosquito breeding sites to limit the spread of the infection.

"Most of the breeding areas are man-made and can be eliminated. The public needs to be more vigilant and take care of their gardens as well as inside their homes and offices," the health official said.