Health Alert
Dengue in Sri Lanka
Updated June 4, 2018Updated: May 03, 2018
Note:
Information regarding the number of cases reported in 2018 was updated.
Original publication date: September 26, 2016.
What is the dengue situation in Sri Lanka?
There is a risk of dengue in tropical and subtropical areas of the world. Dengue occurs in urban and semi-urban areas and there is a higher rate of transmission during the rainy season.
The Ministry of Health in Sri Lanka has declared an outbreak of dengue. Over 15 500 cases of dengue have been reported in Sri Lanka in 2018. Over 186 000 cases were reported in the country in 2017.
What is dengue ?
Dengue is a disease spread to humans by the bite of an infected mosquito. Symptoms can take up to two weeks to develop after you are bitten. Symptoms of dengue start suddenly with a high fever in combination with two or more of the following symptoms:
severe headache
pain behind the eyes
muscle and joint pain
nausea
vomiting
swollen glands
rash
Warning signs of progression to severe dengue include persistent vomiting, severe abdominal pain, bleeding from the nose or gums and difficulty breathing. In severe cases, dengue can be fatal.
There is no vaccine or medication available in Canada to prevent dengue.
There is no specific treatment for dengue fever but medical care can help with recovery and the control of symptoms.
How can you protect yourself from dengue?
Consult a health care professional or visit a travel health clinic preferably six weeks before you travel.
Protect yourself from mosquito bites at all times to avoid getting dengue. Dengue virus is spread by a mosquito that can bite in daylight and evening hours.
Use insect repellant on exposed skin
Cover up: wear light-coloured, long-sleeved shirts and long pants
Accommodations: stay in rooms with air conditioning and places that have intact window and door screens
Use bed nets: they can also cover playpens, cribs or strollers
Monitor your health
If you develop symptoms similar to dengue when you are travelling or after you return, see a health care professional. Tell them where you have been travelling or living.
Registration of Canadians Abroad
Sign up with the Registration of Canadians Abroad (ROCA) service to stay connected with the Government of Canada in case of an emergency abroad or an emergency at home.
Related links
About dengue
Insect bite prevention
Travel Advice and Advisories
Sickness or injury while travelling
If you get sick after travelling
Other Resources
World Health Organization: Dengue and severe dengue fact sheet
World Health Organization: Dengue fever disease outbreak news
Date modified: 2017-04-05