Dengue fever and other diseases carried by mosquitoes can be prevented with a bit of preparation.
We are in the midst of our wettest month in Thailand. Many relish the rainy season but as rainfall peaks in September, it brings with it mosquitoes. Having been in existence for 175 million years, mosquitoes are certainly not man’s best friend. Carriers for diseases such as malaria, dengue fever and more recently the Zika virus, scientists are continually to produce vaccines to eradicate these diseases.
Despite being very close to producing a vaccine to prevent dengue fever, there is still not a completely effective one available. Therefore it is important to prevent getting bitten by mosquitoes to protect yourself against dengue fever and other forms of disease.
1. Cover up.
If you can, cover up as much of your body to prevent mosquitoes from pouncing on your bare skin. This may seem impossible with Bangkok’s furnace like temperatures, but opt for linen and cotton clothing which will feel cool to the skin. Mosquitoes tend to be most active at dusk and dawn so at least this is a time when the sun is not blazing down so it is more comfortable to wear long sleeves and trousers.
2. Wear repellent.
If covering up really is not an option, or for double protection, apply repellent. Ones containing DEET are stronger but be warned they are strong and can damage your flip flops if sprayed onto. But they are potent for a reason. Repellent commonly comes in sprays, but there are other products such as patches and even bands to wear round your wrists to deter mosquitoes from coming close. Mosquitoes have incredible sense of smell travelling up to 64 kilometres to get to their food which they can smell from 50 metres away. So wear repellent to stop them dead in their tracks!
3. Mosquito proof your home.
Fit mosquito screens on your windows and a net for your bed. Use citronella coils and mosquito black boxes that attract mosquitoes and zap them up. There are numerous products on the market to consider. Although if you live at a high floor theoretically they won’t be able to reach you as Asian mosquitoes are thought not to be able to fly above 20 floors. But don’t forget that mosquito can sneak in the lift and reach you that way!
4. Reduce their chances.
Mosquitoes typically linger and breed in standing water. So reduce their habitat to prevent them from breeding any further. Sri Lanka has recently achieved a malaria free status from the World Health Organisation despite 80 percent of the country’s population living in rural areas that has ideal conditions for mosquitoes to breed in. Sri Lanka achieved this by a variety of methods including education and prevention, but it proves that it is possible to reduce the risk of spreading diseases. Take time to look at your surrounding environment to see what could be attracting them. A disused motorbike tire is the perfect place to collect rainwater for mosquitoes to be attracted to. Eliminate their home and you will notice a significant difference and reduce your chances of getting dengue fever.
