A deadly outbreak of dengue fever struck the island nation of Sri Lanka, killing at least 227 people and infecting tens of thousands.

Experts are concerned that the death toll could still rise as the health infrastructure of the country is trying to cope with the rapid spread of the virus.

The government has deployed 450 soldiers to help fight the spread of the disease. "We have established temporary offices at the hospital, Negombo, on the outskirts of Colombo to solve this problem", - said the representative of the press service of the British army Brigadier Roshan of Seneviratne. The last major outbreak of dengue fever in Sri Lanka occurred in 2009 identified 25 thousand infected and 249 deaths.

National group for control of dengue, said the health workers fighting the virus that is more deadly than other strains that hit the Asian country in the previous years.

The current outbreak was the result of large-scale floods in the country earlier this year, sparking fears of dengue epidemic among vulnerable communities. The government plans to declare a state of emergency.
sections: Accidents, World News