COLOMBO, Sept. 18 (Xinhua) -- Sri Lanka's Health Ministry on Wednesday warned of a possible dengue outbreak with the ongoing monsoon rains, saying 70 dengue related deaths had already been reported so far this year.

The ministry, quoted in local media reports, said that over 45,000 people had been affected by dengue between January and August, and seven districts had been identified as the worst affected.

These include capital Colombo, Gampaha in the outskirts of the capital, Matara in the south, Ratnapura in south central Sri Lanka and Kegalle, located 78 km away from Colombo.

"The main reason for dengue deaths are patients not seeking prompt medical treatment for fever and using certain medications. These drugs cause Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever which can become fatal," health experts said.

Last year, over 50 people died and over 48,000 were affected by the dengue virus in Sri Lanka, with the National Dengue Control Unit launching several programs to eradicate dengue breeding grounds in several districts of the island country.