Are You Mosquito-Proof? How to Protect Yourself from Dengue?

Are You Mosquito-proof? How to Protect Yourself from Dengue 

Dengue fever is a mosquito-borne viral infection that can cause severe illness¹. It is found in tropical and subtropical areas of the world¹. Dengue fever is caused by any one of four dengue viruses (DENV-1, DENV-2, DENV-3 and DENV-4)¹. People can get infected more than once and 2nd infection can be more severe¹.

These viruses are spread by the bite of an infected Aedes mosquito¹. Symptoms include high fever, headache, vomiting, muscle and joint pain, and rash¹. There is no specific treatment for dengue fever². Aedes mosquitoes that bite an affected family member can go on to bite and infect others in the same home³. Thus, it is important to prevent the spread of dengue inside your home. The best way to prevent getting dengue fever is to avoid being bitten by mosquitoes². How? Let’s find out!

Don't Let Your House Become An Aedes Breeding Area

TheAedes aegypti mosquito is the primary vector of the dengue virus, and Aedes albopictus can also transmit the virus¹. These species are aggressive daytime biters¹. They lay their eggs in stagnant water, which makes houses ideal breeding sites for them¹. Everyone of us should keep our house and surrounding clean to ensure that it is free from mosquito breeding sites because a person can be infected with dengue whether they are indoor or outdoor⁴.

You can prevent these mosquitoes from breeding in and around your home by^1,5:

• Keeping gutters clean and free of stagnant water.
• Changing the water in pet dishes and flowerpots at least once a week.
• Draining or disposing of cans, buckets, plastic containers, toys, tires, or other items that can hold water.
• Covering or removing containers that can't be drained or disposed of.
• Covering rain barrels with mosquito-proof screens.
• Keep fishes in the pond.

Protect Yourself!

1. Use Mosquito Repellents

Using mosquito repellent safely and correctly can protect you from mosquito bites by acting as a "barrier"⁶. For maximum protection, topical mosquito repellents should be applied to all exposed skin but avoid your eyes and mouth⁶. When using any insecticide product, always read and follow the label directions carefully⁶.

2. Protect Your Skin

Cover up! Wearing long sleeves and pants in bright colours outdoors can help keep mosquitoes from biting⁵. Treat your clothing with insect repellent like permethrin or buy pre-treated clothing to help keep mosquitoes from landing on you².

Scientists have found that some people are more attractive to mosquitoes than others. Things like alcohol consumption⁷ and pregnancy⁸ can make you more attractive to mosquitoes.

If you're concerned about being a mosquito magnet, avoid being outdoors during peak mosquito-biting hours (dusk to dawn).

3. Add Mosquito Net to Your Windows

Use screens on your windows and doors. Screens help keep mosquitoes out of your house. Repair any holes in screens to keep mosquitoes from coming indoors².

4. Consider Using Air Conditioning

Air conditioning can help keep mosquitoes out of your home and make it harder for them to bite you. They don’t like a cold environment, hence why mosquitoes like to fly into your home at night as it is colder outside⁹. Therefore close your doors and windows tightly to prevent them from entering.

5. Use Mosquito or Sleeping Net

If you're spending time outdoors in an area where there are mosquitoes, use a mosquito net¹⁰ to help keep them away from your skin. Cover strollers and baby carriers with mosquito netting to keep mosquitoes away from your child.

When at sleep, you can consider using a sleeping net to prevent mosquitos¹⁰. Make sure the net has no holes in it and is tucked in tightly under your mattress or sleeping pad so that mosquitoes can't get inside.

Plant Some Herbal Plants to Repel the Mosquitoes

Some plants can help keep mosquitoes away from your home¹¹. Planting them around your house can help reduce the number of mosquitoes that are able to breed there.

Some plants that have been shown to be effective at repelling mosquitoes include:¹¹

•  Marigold
•  Lemongrass 
•  Basil
•  Aloe Vera
•  Neem
•  Crowfoot Geranium
•  Longjack (Tongkat Ali)
•  Vetiver root
•  Floramaster

Make Sure Your Housing Area Has a Frequent Fogging Routine

Fogging is a method of insect control that uses very fine droplets of an insecticide to kill mosquitoes¹². It's usually done using a truck-mounted machine that sprays the insecticide into the air¹².

Fogging can help to reduce the mosquito population in an area, but it's important to make sure that it's done properly. If not, it can be harmful to people and animals.

For fogging to be effective, it needs to be done regularly and at the right time of day. The best time to fog for mosquitoes is early in the morning or late in the evening when they are most active¹².

Stay Vigilant

What to do if you get bitten by a mosquito?

If you get bitten by a mosquito, there are a few things you can do to relieve the itch:¹³

• Apply a topical calamine lotion.
• Place a cold compress on the bite.
• Avoid scratching the bite, as this can cause it to become infected.

If you develop a fever, muscle aches, or joint pain after being bitten by a mosquito, it's important to see a doctor right away so that you can be properly diagnosed and treated. Early diagnosis and treatment of dengue feverare vital for preventing serious complications from developing.

References

1. World Health Organization. Dengue and Severe Dengue | https://tinyurl.com/yuxuzn2t| Accessed on 24 August, 2022.

2. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Avoid Dengue by Preventing Mosquito Bites | https://tinyurl.com/auc9mezk| Accessed on 24 August 2022.

3.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Homecare for Dengue Patients | https://tinyurl.com/7t5e6era | Accessed September 8, 2022

4. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Dengue Transmission | https://tinyurl.com/kc6p9346 |  Accessed  September 8, 2022

5. Bahagian Pendidikan Kesihatan Kementerian Kesihatan Malaysia. Info Sihat. Demam Denggi | https://tinyurl.com/yc4nynnj | Accessed on 24 August, 2022.

6. National Environment Agency. Mosquito Repellents | https://tinyurl.com/bdzppn8w | Accessed on August 25, 2022

7. Shirai O., Tsuda T., Kitagawa S., Naitoh K., Seki T., Kamimura K., Morohashi M. Alcohol ingestion stimulates mosquito attraction. Journal of the American Mosquito Control Association | https://tinyurl.com/5acpwfv5 | Accessed on August 25, 2022

8.  Dobson, R. (2000, June 10). Mosquitoes prefer pregnant women. BMJ (Clinical research ed.) | https://tinyurl.com/w2wj66rh | Accessed on August 25, 2022

9. Meyers, A. PestWeek. Does Air Conditioning Keep Mosquitoes Away? | https://tinyurl.com/54kbd9up | Accessed on 24 August, 2022.

10. PORTAL MyHEALTH. Demam Denggi | https://tinyurl.com/yvv42htd | Accessed on 24 August, 2022.

11. Kaedah alternatif - IDengue Versi 3.0 | https://tinyurl.com/3ey7fckw | Accessed on August 25, 2022

12. PestBusters. Aedes Fogging | https://tinyurl.com/52a3wdn2 | Accessed on 24 August, 2022.

13. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Mosquitoes Bite Symptoms and Treatment | https://tinyurl.com/4yb5dap4 | Accessed on 24 August, 2022.

C-ANPROM/MY/DENV/0071 SEPT 2022

This article is brought to you by Takeda Malaysia Sdn. Bhd. 200901025887 (868989-K)

Disclaimer: This information is available to public for information purposes only; it should not be used for diagnosing or treating a health problem or disease. It is not intended to substitute consultation with a healthcare provider. Please consult your healthcare provider for advice.