Dengue in Sri Lanka

04 Dec 2017

On 4 December 2017 the Sri Lankan Ministry of Health reported a total of 175 129 cases of dengue this year. All areas of the country have been affected but the district with the greatest number of cases is the capital, Colombo (32 856 cases).

Advice for Travellers

The best way to avoid infection is to prevent mosquito bites.  As the transmitting mosquitoes bite from dawn until dusk, long clothing should be worn and repellents should be used all day.

See also information about Insect Bite Avoidance.

Medical attention must be sought for any feverish illness experienced whilst travelling or on your return home.

There is no vaccine against dengue fever for travellers.

A vaccine for use in people living in dengue affected countries aged between 9 – 45 years is available in Costa Rica, Brazil, Mexico and the Phillippines.

For further information see Dengue Fever.