Sri Lanka

MAIN HEALTH RISKS

• Malaria-infected zones are the Northern and Eastern Provinces and, in a lesser extent, low-altitude areas of the southern part of the island. Malaria cases are however decreasing everywhere in the country. The capital city, the western coast all the way to Galle, Kandy, the Nuwara Eliya district and areas above 1.500 m of altitude are malaria-free. Strains present in the country are classified as level 2, which means they have a mild resistance to chloroquine.
• Dengue fever is endemic in Sri Lanka, particularly in Colombo, with a yearly relapse during the monsoon.
• The country has been hit since January 2008 by a chikungunya outbreak, with an important contamination peak in May 2008: dozens of thousands of cases have been officially confirmed in several urban areas, including Colombo.
• Recent outbreaks of Japanese encephalitis have been reported, mainly in the center and north-west of the country.
• Tuberculosis is frequent in the country.
• There are cases of animal rabies in the country.
• Diarrheic diseases are common.

FOOD SAFETY

• Gastric diseases are common among tourists who are not accustomed to local food or who do not take precautions.
• It is recommended not to eat citrus fruit, sea products or raw vegetables (except in international hotels) ; favor hot dishes whenever possible.
• Do not drink tap water and favor bottled mineral water, without ice; avoid eating ice cream and sherbet.
• Bring anti-diarrhea medication with you.
• Wash your hands thoroughly before each meal.

IMMUNIZATIONS AND MEDICATION

• It is required to present a certificate of immunization against yellow fever for travelers who are coming from an endemic area.
Systematically:
• Hepatitis A: the vaccination is available for children at least one year old. For persons who were born before 1945, who have spent their childhood in a developing country or who have had an icterus, it may prove useful to search previously for serous antibodies in order to avoid an unnecessary shot.
• Hepatitis B: the vaccination is available for children at least two months old.
• Diphtheria, tetanus, poliomyelitis: get a booster shot before leaving if your last shot is more than ten years old.



Depending on the duration and conditions of the trip:
• Typhoid fever: if the stay is occurring in precarious hygiene condition. The immunization is available for children at least 2 years old.
• Rabies: recommended for long stays in isolation. The immunization should be given to children as soon as they are able to walk.
• Japanese encephalitis: for a long stay in a rural area, during the rain season. The immunization is available for children at least 1 year old.
• Tuberculosis: in case of a long stay, it is recommended to have children immunized against tuberculosis as soon as they reach the age of one month, and against mumps, measles and rubella when they reach the age of nine months.
• Recommended chemoprophylaxis against malaria: chloroquine and proguanil (commercial name: Savarine) or proguanil and atovaquone (commercial name : Malarone).

HEALTH INFRASTRUCTURES

Colombo
• Apollo Lanka hospital, 578 Elvitigala Mawatha, Colombo 5: phone (0) 11 4530 000 or (0) 11 4400 577.
• Nawaloka Hospital, 23 Sri Saugathodaya Mawatha 6, Colombo 3: phone (0) 11 2544 444 to 47.

EMERGENCY CONTACTS

• Firemen / police / ambulances : 118

CLIMATE

• Climate is equatorial: heat and humidity and constant on the coasts and in the plains; temperatures are mild and the climate is dryer in montainous areas.
• There are two rain seasons: the great monsoon, from May to August, on the western and southern coasts, and the small monsoon from November to January on the eastern coast (the rains were exceptionnally unimportant over the last years). From January to April, rain is scarce and the weather is sunny.
• When to go: between January and April.