Getting vaccinated will help keep you safe and healthy while you’re traveling. It will also help make sure that you don’t bring any serious diseases home to your family, friends, and community. Some countries require proof of vaccination for certain diseases, like yellow fever or polio. And traveling in developing countries and rural areas may bring you into contact with more diseases, which means you might need more vaccines before you visit.

Recommended Vaccinations when you are planning to Visit Lankan Tropics

The only vaccine required by international regulations is yellow fever. Proof of vaccination will only be required if, in the six days before entering Sri Lanka, you have visited a country in the yellow-fever zone. The US Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recommends that travelers to Sri Lanka consider the following vaccinations (as well as being up to date with measles, mumps and rubella vaccinations):

Adult diphtheria and tetanus -Single booster recommended if none in the
previous 10 years.

Hepatitis A -Provides almost 100% protection for up to a year.

Hepatitis B -Now considered routine for most travellers.

Japanese encephalitis -Recommended for rural travel, people who will be doing
outdoor activities or for anyone staying longer than 30 days.

Polio -Incidence has been unreported in Sri Lanka for several years but must be
assumed to be present.

Rabies -Three injections in all. A booster after one year will then provide 10
years’ protection.

Typhoid -Recommended for all travelers to Sri Lanka, even if you only visit
urban areas.

Varicella -If you haven’t had chickenpox, discuss this vaccination with your
doctor.

Let’s all be aware of the Infectious Diseases in Sri Lanka

Dengue fever
This mosquito-borne disease is becomingly increasingly problematic across Asia.As there is no vaccine available, it can only be prevented by avoiding mosquito bites at all times. Symptoms include high fever, severe headache and body ache and sometimes a rash and diarrhoea. Treatment is rest and paracetamol – do not take aspirin or ibuprofen as it increases the likelihood of haemorrhaging. Make sure you see a doctor to be diagnosed and monitored.

Influenza
Present year-round in the tropics, influenza (flu) symptoms include fever, muscle aches, a runny nose, cough and sore throat. It can be severe in people over the age of 65 or in those with medical conditions such as heart disease or diabetes – vaccination is recommended for these individuals. There is no specific treatment, just rest and paracetamol.

Takedown notes Captain, this is important!

It’s important to get vaccinated at least 4 to 6 weeks before you travel. This will give the vaccines time to start working, so you’re protected while you’re traveling. It will also usually make sure there’s enough time for you to get vaccines that require more than 1 dose.