Sri Lanka : Travel Health

WARNING! This information is out-dated and likely to be inaccurate!

Researching Travel Plans

Please note that this health information about Sri Lanka may be out-of-date. Always research the current health conditions and issues in any region you plan to visit prior to departure.

Infectious Diseases and Medical Concerns for Sri Lanka

The following medical diseases or health concerns are more common in travel to Sri Lanka (compared to the USA and other areas of the Western World):

• travelers’ diarrhea
• cholera
• malaria
• Escherichia coli diarrhea
• hepatitis A
• typhoid fever
• Insect born diseases
• parasitic diseases
• Dengue fever
• filariasis
• leishmaniasis
• Japanese encephalitis
• onchocerciasis
• plague - risk for travelers is small
• toxoplasmosis
• HIV
• AIDS
• hepatitis B
• chickungunya

More Common Diseases and Medical Concerns for Sri Lanka

The following health concerns or diseases are more commonly found in Sri Lanka compared to the USA and other areas of the Western World:

• motor vehicle trauma - wear seatbelts and avoid night driving
• snake bite
• drownings are common due to strong undercurrents and rips

Uncommon or Rare Diseases and Medical Concerns for Sri Lanka

These medical diseases or health concerns are uncommon or rare in Sri Lanka:

• yellow fever - no current risk but vaccination certification may be required for entry

Vaccinations for Travel to Sri Lanka

The following medical vaccinations are desirable or helpful for travel to Sri Lanka to prevent contagious diseases in Sri Lanka:

• hepatitis A - or immune globulin (IG)
• hepatitis B - If you might be exposed to blood (for example, health-care workers), have sexual contact with the local population, stay longer than 6 months, or be exposed through medical treatment.
• Japanese encephalitis - only if you plan to visit rural areas for 4 weeks or more
• rabies - if you might be exposed to wild or domestic animals through your work or recreation
• typhoid - important because of resistant strains of causative agent
• tetanus - booster dose as needed, diphtheria - booster dose as needed, measles - booster dose as needed,, polio

Preventions or Health Precautions for Travel to Sri Lanka

Any health risk of travel to Sri Lanka may be reduced by the following precautionary health measures when visiting Sri Lanka:

• Take your malaria prevention medication before, during, and after travel, as directed
• high rate of motor vehicle trauma - avoid night driving and wear seatbelts
• mosquito bite prevention
• insect bite protection
• snake bite protection
• avoid drinking non-treated water - only drink bottled or canned water
• eat only thoroughly cooked food or fruits and vegetables you have peeled yourself
• to prevent fungal and parasitic infections, keep feet clean and dry, and do not go barefoot
• always use latex condoms to reduce the risk of HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases
• don’t eat food purchased from street vendors
• don’t drink beverages with ice
• don’t share needles with anyone
• don’t handle animals (especially monkeys, dogs, and cats), to avoid bites and serious diseases (including rabies and plague - risk for travelers is small)
• don’t swim in fresh water. Salt water is usually safer
• use sunblock and take sunglasses and a hat
• strong undercurrents and rips make swimming dangerous

Other Relevant Issues for Travel to Sri Lanka

The following may be issues relevant to travel to Sri Lanka:

• medical care is substandard
• hospital beds are limited and modern technology is lacking
• there may be consular warnings against travel to the country
• check latest advice for updates