US warns of Chikungunya Out-Break’ in SL – How to Protect You?

The US Embassy Colombo has issued a ‘Health Warning’ of a possible Chikungunya outbreak in Sri Lanka.

“There is an outbreak of chikungunya in Sri Lanka,” The embassy said in a statement.

The Embassy, advice its citizens currently in Sri Lanka and planning to visit to “Practice Enhanced Measures,’ while in the country.

“Chikungunya is spread to humans through mosquito bites,” it added.

Symptoms begin 3-7 days after a bite by an infected mosquito.

The embassy advice its citizens to monitor local media for updates, and be prepared to adjust your plans.

The US Embassy is recommending Vaccination for travelers who are visiting an area with a chikungunya outbreak.

While the Embassy has lifted all travel restrictions for all Embassy personnel, Sri Lanka is still recovering from Cyclone Ditwah.

Madagascar, Kenya, Somalia, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka are cited as countries with the Chikungunya danger in a map provided by the US Embassy.

The latest travel warning comes amidst Sri Lanka’s efforts to recover from a devastating Ditwah Cycle that hit the country.

Experts says, Sri Lanka’s Health Sector is strongly equipped to handle an ‘Health Emergency’ of such nature.

Sri Lanka has a highly vibrant Free Health Services thus enabling ‘patients’ free access to medicine.

DECEMBER TOURIST ARRIVAL

In the meantime, during the first two weeks of December, Sri Lanka received more than 70,000 tourists.