Light house by the coast in Sri Lanka Tree-line in Sri Lanka

Travel Vaccinations for Sri Lanka

Vaccines To Consider When Visiting Sri Lanka

A consultation will be completed with one of our specialist travel health nurses to assess your individual travel plans and health background before making recommendations, which can then be administered during the same appointment.

There is a risk of Malaria in Sri Lanka. London Travel Clinic offers a range of antimalarials to keep you protected

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Elephants in water in Sri Lanka

Destination Information for Sri Lanka

The island of Sri Lanka, south of India in the Indian Ocean, is a diverse landscape of rainforest, desert, highlands and beaches. The ancient capital, Anuradhapura, has Buddhist ruins over 2,000 years old. Relics, temples and religious sites abound on this balmy and beautiful island. Sri Lanka’s monasteries and temples are still important places of pilgrimage and devotion.  The island as a whole is also innately spiritual, with festivals and religious celebrations bringing visitors throughout the year.

There’s plenty for tourists to see and do in Sri Lanka, including sporting activities like kite surfing and diving. Visit Bentota beach on the Southwest coast to observe sea turtle hatcheries. Whale and dolphin watching in the Indian Ocean is an opportunity most tourists won’t want to miss. One of the best aspects of Sri Lanka being a relatively small island nation is that distances between sites and attractions are short, meaning you should be able to fit lots into your stay.

The rainy season in Sri Lanka depends on where on the island you are based. The North-East monsoon season is October to January, and the South-West monsoon season is May to July. The climate throughout the country varies quite dramatically, being much cooler in the hills of central Sri Lanka and warmer and drier in the Southern province.

To ensure you stay safe from diseases in Sri Lanka, get the right travel vaccinations before setting off. All visitors are advised to make sure they are up to date with diphtheria, tetanus and polio vaccination. Rabies, Hepatitis A and B, and Japanese encephalitis may also be a risk factor and vaccinations are often recommended so book an appoint at one of our clinics to make sure you’re protected.

Infections and Outbreaks frequently change from country to country and by attending our clinics you will be given the most up to date clinical and safety advice from our team of specialists. Our advice to you often includes aspects such as:

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Non Vaccinated Diseases

Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever

Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever (CCHF) is primarily spread to humans either by infected ticks or animal blood. Human-to-human transmission can also occur resulting from close contact with the blood, organs or other bodily fluids of an infected person.

Scrub typhus

Scrub typhus, also known as bush typhus, is a bacterial disease that is spread to people through bites of infected chiggers (larval mites). Common symptoms include fever, headache, body aches, and sometimes rash. It can usually be treated with antibiotics, however people with severe illness may develop organ failure and bleeding, which can be fatal if left untreated.

Travel Kits and Accessories
Price
Deet 50% - 100ml
£8
Deet 50% - 50ml
£6
Lifesystems EX4 Anti-Mozzie Fabric Spray - 350ml
£8.50
Lifesystems Micro Mosquito Net - Single
£20
Lifesystems Micro Mosquito Net - Double
£25
Natural Mosquito Repellent - 100ml
£7.75

Chikungunya

Chikungunya is a viral disease transmitted to humans by infected mosquitoes and it causes fever and severe joint pain. Other symptoms include muscle pain, headache, nausea, fatigue and rash. Joint pain is often debilitating and can vary in duration. The disease shares some clinical signs with Dengue, and can be misdiagnosed in areas where Dengue is common. There is no cure for the disease. Treatment is focused on relieving the symptoms.

Travel Kits and Accessories
Price
Deet 50% - 100ml
£8
Deet 50% - 50ml
£6
Lifesystems Bed Bug Barrier Bedsheet
£12.99
Lifesystems EX4 Anti-Mozzie Fabric Spray - 350ml
£8.50
Lifesystems Micro Mosquito Net - Single
£20
Lifesystems Micro Mosquito Net - Double
£25

Leishmaniasis

A parasitic disease transmitted by the bite of an infected sandfly. Cutaneous Leishmaniasis (the most common): Causes skin lesions, mainly ulcers on exposed parts of the body, causing scars and serious disability. 90% of cases are in the Americas, the Mediterranean basin, the Middle East and Asia. Visceral Leishmaniasis (the most dangerous): Causes enlarged spleen and liver, anaemia, weight loss and irregular bouts of fever. Highly endemic in the Indian Subcontinent and East Africa. Mucotaneous (the least common): Causes partial or total destruction of the mucous membranes in the nose, mouth and throat. Most cases are found in Peru, Bolivia and Brazil.

Travel Kits and Accessories
Price
Deet 50% - 100ml
£8
Deet 50% - 50ml
£6
Lifesystems EX4 Anti-Mozzie Fabric Spray - 350ml
£8.50
Lifesystems Micro Mosquito Net - Single
£20
Lifesystems Micro Mosquito Net - Double
£25

Additional Health Risks Information for Sri Lanka

If you’re visiting Sri Lanka, you need to be aware of the potential health risks. You can take steps to prepare yourself by ensuring you have the relevant vaccinations, but there are some diseases present that you will not be able to vaccinate against. Because of this, it is important to avoid being bitten by mosquitos and other insects where possible.

Sri Lanka can be affected by severe weather conditions such as monsoon rains and tropical storms. Check the local weather conditions for your specific destination before your trip, and during your stay to make sure you’re dressed appropriately and don’t take any unnecessary risks.

As with anywhere in the world in the current climate, be aware of the potential for violence, crime and other problematic situations. Sri Lanka is generally considered a safe place to travel. However, incidents do occur so you should be vigilant at all times.

Standards of healthcare facilities vary throughout Sri Lanka. Although, it’s worth noting that there are some clinics in Colombo which are targetted towards Sri Lankan tourists, and the quality of care here is better than in more remote areas. Wherever you plan to travel, make sure you have arranged adequate travel insurance for yourself and your belongings, which covers the specific activities you plan to undertake, such as extreme sports.

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