OneCeylon
beaches
All questions

Is dengue fever a big risk in April, and how to protect myself!

Seen by 602 travellers
Jump to the accepted answer
C
Chen W.•25 rep•1

I am travelling with my family in April. We plan to visit the Cultural Triangle and the south coast. I read about dengue fever and I am a bit worried. How common is it really for tourists to catch it? What are the best practical steps to avoid mosquito bites over there?

5
beachesculturehealthfamily-travel

2 Answers from travellers

✓Accepted Answer

Outdated Information: This answer is over 6 months old. Prices, schedules, or availability may have changed. Please verify current information before making travel plans.

Dengue is a reality in Sri Lanka, but it should not cause you to cancel or ruin your trip with anxiety. It is primarily spread by the Aedes mosquito, which bites during the day, particularly early morning and late afternoon.

As a tourist, your risk is relatively low if you take basic precautions. Most tourist accommodations use mosquito nets or have air conditioning, which keeps them away.

Practical steps:
1. Wear loose, light coloured clothing that covers your arms and legs during the early morning and late afternoon.
2. Use a good repellent. The local brand "Soffell" or anything containing DEET or Picaridin works best. Apply it like sunscreen.
3. If you get a sudden high fever, severe headache, and pain behind the eyes, do not take Aspirin or Ibuprofen. Only take Paracetamol. Go to a local clinic for a quick blood test. The healthcare system here is very familiar with treating it quickly.

0
M
Mahesh K.•9720 rep•1

To add to Maheshs point, April is generally considered an intermonsoonal month. It can be quite hot and humid, with some evening showers. The mosquitoes breed in stagnant clean water left after rains. When visiting ancient ruins in the Cultural Triangle (like Sigiriya or Polonnaruwa), you will be walking near jungle areas and ancient ponds. Apply your repellent before you leave the hotel for these excursions, and carry a small bottle with you to reapply if you sweat it off.

0
Ayesha Hussain
Ayesha Hussain•2505 rep•2

You must be logged in to post an answer.

Log In to Answer

Related questions

Browse all questions