At least 16 people died from dengue in 24 hours preceding 8:00am today as the country grapples with an outbreak of the mosquito-borne disease.

Of the deaths, 13 were reported outside the capital.

At least 2,495 dengue patients were hospitalised in the 24-hour period, according to data from the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS).

Dengue has so far claimed at least 1,206 lives this year and nearly 247,193 have been infected. This year saw the highest number of deaths from dengue since the first recorded epidemic in 2000.

According to DGHS data, 8,299 dengue patients were undergoing treatment at different hospitals across the country yesterday morning.

A total of 237,688 patients have so far been released from hospitals this year.