The United States and the United Kingdom have issued updated travel advisories, warning their citizens against traveling to Sri Lanka due to a significant rise in chikungunya cases.
The British Foreign and Commonwealth Office has listed chikungunya as a “public health risk” for travelers to Sri Lanka.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has also urged travelers heading to the Indian Ocean region to take enhanced precautions against the virus. A Level 2 travel advisory issued by the CDC highlights ongoing chikungunya outbreaks in Sri Lanka, Mauritius, Mayotte, Réunion, and Somalia.
In response, U.S. health authorities have recommended vaccination for travelers visiting areas affected by the outbreak. Special caution is advised for pregnant women, particularly those nearing childbirth, with a recommendation to reconsider travel to these regions.
Chikungunya, like dengue, is spread by Aedes mosquitoes. Sri Lanka’s Health Ministry Secretary, Dr. Anil Jasinghe, stated that the Western Province has reported the highest number of cases. In response, the ministry has declared a week of dengue and mosquito control efforts in the province.
Nationwide mosquito control programs are also being launched to help prevent the further spread of the virus.
