Is Dengue fever common in Sri Lanka?

Dengue fever is endemic in Sri Lanka, and periodic outbreaks happen often, especially during and right after the intense monsoon rains, when stagnant water leaves room for mosquitoes to breed very rapidly. It is genuinely a health risk, so every visitor should take proactive preventative measures.

The mosquitoes that transmit dengue are highly active during daylight hours. Make sure you apply a quality DEET repellent each morning, wear loose long sleeves while roaming around damp places, and confirm your accommodation has mosquito nets or dependable air conditioning.