Seychelles under increased health surveillance: authorities claim cases are falling, tourism remains open without restrictions
Seychelles tourism authorities and health services in recent weeks have increased communication towards travelers after recommendations were issued related to the seasonal presence of mosquito-borne diseases, primarily chikungunya and dengue. The message that the island nation is sending to the international public is clear: the situation is being monitored day by day, the number of reported cases according to available official information shows a downward trend, and there are no measures that would restrict entry into the country or the movement of tourists.
For a destination whose economy relies heavily on international arrivals, speed and transparency in such circumstances become as important as the measures on the ground itself. This is precisely why Tourism Seychelles, the national tourism body, has acted proactively towards partners and the travel industry, emphasizing that the islands remain open and that the risk is kept under control with standard personal protection measures. Travelers planning a holiday in the Seychelles can already follow practical recommendations and choose
accommodation for visitors in the Seychelles that facilitates their stay under conditions of increased caution, such as air-conditioned or well-protected units.
What prompted the recommendations and why the Seychelles are mentioned in international warnings
International warnings in such situations usually do not mean a travel ban, but rather an emphasis on precautionary measures, especially for sensitive groups. In early February 2026, the US CDC published a Level 2 notice for chikungunya in the Seychelles, with a recommendation for “enhanced precautions” and an emphasis on preventing mosquito bites and considering vaccination for some travelers according to criteria stated by the CDC. At the same time, health authorities in the Seychelles publicly called on the population and partners to further strengthen prevention and surveillance, confirming the circulation of arboviruses in the country.
An important part of the context is seasonality. Rainy periods, heat, and humidity create favorable conditions for the reproduction of Aedes mosquitoes, which are the key transmitters of both chikungunya and dengue. Because of this, increased caution recommendations appear from time to time in a number of tropical and subtropical destinations without the necessary introduction of restrictions. In practice, this means that travelers are advised to behave responsibly, while the destination remains accessible, including flights, transfers, and hotel capacities.
Official messages from the field: emphasis on surveillance, falling cases, and absence of hospitalizations
According to statements carried by international and local media citing the relevant services, health authorities state a decrease in the number of new cases and the absence of hospitalizations associated with current infections, with the assessment that there are no elements for introducing travel restrictions. Messages sent to the tourism sector also emphasize the fact that these diseases are not transmitted from person to person through usual contact, but through the bite of an infected mosquito, which makes preventive measures particularly effective.
For travelers, this translates to the key difference between a “warning” and “closing” a destination. The Seychelles, according to available official information and international notices, have not introduced entry bans or special conditions that would change the standard tourism regime. However, travelers are recommended to plan their stay informed, including the choice of
accommodation near events and attractions that allows for better protection against mosquitoes, especially in the evening and early morning hours when mosquito activity is more pronounced.
How mosquito control works in island destinations
Managing mosquito risk on islands typically relies on a combination of measures including:
- removal of places suitable for larval development (standing water in containers, planters, drains, etc.),
- larvicidal treatments and targeted treatment of hotspots,
- monitoring of mosquito populations and epidemiological surveillance,
- information campaigns for the population and the tourism sector,
- cooperation of local communities, hotels, and public services in maintaining the environment.
According to information published by the WHO and national partners, the Seychelles have recently emphasized the strengthening of vector-borne disease management systems and strategic planning of measures for the period 2025–2030, which includes dengue as one of the diseases requiring a continuous approach. In such a framework, tourism communication becomes an extended arm of public health: the goal is for visitors to receive practical instructions without creating panic and without hiding the problem.
What travelers need to know about chikungunya and dengue
Chikungunya most often manifests as a sudden increase in temperature and pronounced joint pain, along with possible headaches, rash, and fatigue. Most patients recover, but some people may have longer-lasting joint issues. Dengue is also a viral disease transmitted by mosquitoes and can vary from mild symptoms to more severe forms, which is why travelers are advised to take prevention seriously and contact a doctor if symptoms appear during travel or after return.
International health institutions in their recommendations emphasize that preventing mosquito bites is a fundamental measure, regardless of whether traveling to the Seychelles or other areas at risk. The CDC, for example, in its notice for the Seychelles, highlights the use of repellent, wearing long-sleeved clothing and pants, and staying in air-conditioned or well-protected spaces with screens on windows and doors. In this segment, the choice of
accommodation for visitors, which reduces exposure to bites from the start, can be crucial for travelers.
Practical recommendations for travelers: how to reduce risk without giving up on travel
In communication towards tourists and in international notices, the same, very concrete recommendations are most often repeated:
- use repellents according to the manufacturer's instructions, especially during times of highest mosquito activity,
- wear light but covering clothing (long sleeves and pants),
- choose air-conditioned or well-protected spaces,
- avoid standing water in the immediate surroundings and report hotspots to accommodation staff,
- in case of fever and joint pain, seek medical advice,
- pregnant women and persons with increased risk should be especially careful, with an individual assessment before travel.
These recommendations are not specific only to the Seychelles, but gain weight in a period of increased warnings. At the same time, they do not change the fundamental image of the destination: the archipelago remains open, and travel is, according to official messages, possible with responsible behavior.
Why “transparency” becomes a tourism strategy, and not just PR
In tourism, trust is hard to build and easy to lose. In cases of seasonal health warnings, destinations often choose between two bad approaches: minimizing the problem or over-dramatizing. Tourism Seychelles, in messages carried by the media, emphasized the “open information” model, with the explanation that the situation is being monitored and facts are communicated to travelers without concealment. Such an approach, if consistent and backed by public health measures, reduces the space for rumors and sensationalism, and gives tourism partners a predictable framework for work.
Such a strategy also has a broader social meaning. Vector-borne diseases are not just a tourism issue, but a question of public health, environment, and communal management. The WHO, in its regional materials on strengthening the fight against vector-borne and tropical diseases, emphasizes that climate change and the mobility of people and goods can change patterns of disease occurrence, which is why planning and intersectoral cooperation are increasingly important. In this context, the Seychelles want to show that they are ready to react, rather than just “putting out the fire” when the problem has already spread.
Broader regional context: Indian Ocean under the scrutiny of health services
Notices about chikungunya and other mosquito-borne diseases do not appear in isolation. The WHO, in reports on the global situation, warned of the increase and return of chikungunya in several countries during 2025, while the ECDC regularly publishes epidemiological reviews and information for travelers. This means that the Seychelles are mentioned in a broader wave of increased surveillance in certain regions, and not as the only exception.
At the same time, the experience of travelers often depends on details: when they travel, where they stay, what the local weather conditions are like, and how consistently preventive measures are applied. This is precisely why planning with realistic expectations is recommended, including practical decisions such as the choice of
accommodation offer in the Seychelles adapted to tropical conditions, allowing for better quality sleep and a stay without constant worry about bites.
What is not yet clear and what travelers should pay attention to
Although international notices and local messages suggest that the situation is under control, it is important to emphasize that the epidemiological picture can change, especially during periods of variable weather and increased rainfall. Some media reports on the downward trend of cases rely on statements from authorities, but detailed, publicly available weekly indicators are sometimes not consolidated in one place in a format that would allow easy week-to-week comparison. Therefore, it is reasonable to follow official notices and recommendations of public health bodies before the trip and during the stay.
For travelers from Europe, additional practical recommendation is to pay attention to symptoms even after return. If fever, joint pain, or a rash appear within a few days to two weeks of returning, it is useful to emphasize to the doctor the recent travel to an area where there are notices about mosquito-borne diseases. Such information can speed up diagnostics and exclude other causes.
Tourism without restrictions, but with a “new normal” of responsible travel
In February 2026, the Seychelles are not sending a message about closing, but about risk management. International warnings such as the CDC's Level 2 are aimed at traveler behavior, not at interrupting travel. Local health, according to reports in the local media, calls for increased prevention and cooperation of all actors, while tourism emphasizes transparency and continuity.
For travelers who want to keep their plans, the key is in preparation: adherence to measures against mosquito bites, informing from official sources, and a reasonable choice of the environment in which they stay. In practice, this often means that already in the planning phase,
accommodation in the Seychelles is chosen with good protection and infrastructure that reduces exposure, without giving up what people travel to the archipelago for: nature, beaches, and the feeling of an isolated tropical vacation.
Sources:- CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) – Level 2 notice for chikungunya in Seychelles and recommendations for travelers (link)- Seychelles Nation – report on continued arbovirus circulation and call for increased prevention, February 5, 2026 (link)- Seychelles Nation – report on the increase in chikungunya cases and recommendations from health authorities (press conference and context of arbovirus presence) (link)- WHO AFRO (World Health Organization, Regional Office for Africa) – Seychelles Strategic Plan 2025–2030 for the fight against tropical and vector-borne diseases, including dengue (link)- WHO (World Health Organization) – global chikungunya situation and epidemiological trends during 2025 (link)- ECDC (European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control) – information for travelers on areas with chikungunya transmission and general recommendations (link)- CDC – overview of areas with dengue risk and logic for issuing travel notices (link)
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