There is as yet no vaccine to protect against Dengue fever and the only way to prevent dengue
virus transmission is to avoid being bitten by the disease-carrying mosquitoes.
This
is done by controlling or preventing Dengue virus transmission which
prevents the vector mosquitoes spreading the disease even further.
Aedes aegypti breeds
mainly in man-made containers such as earthenware jars, metal drums and
concrete cisterns used for domestic water storage, but discarded
plastic food containers and toys, old tyres and other items that can
collect rainwater, gutters , drains, tree holes, palm fronds and leaves
that gather to form "cups" and catch water, are also potential breeding
sites.
This
means people living in areas where Dengue fever is endemic or where an
outbreak has occurred need to be vigilant on a regular basis about their
yards and garden areas to ensure they are not unwittingly providing
possible breeding sites for mosquitoes.
It
is also advisable to spray exposed body parts with a suitable insect
repellent and wear long sleeve shirts and clothing which covers arms and
legs - clothing may also be sprayed with repellent containing
permethrin or another EPA-registered repellent for greater protection
(permethrin should not be used on skin) - repellents that contain one of
the following active ingredients: DEET, Picaridin and Oil of Lemon
Eucalyptus - always follow the instructions on the label.
The American Academy of Pediatrics approves of the use of repellents with up to 30% DEET on children over 2 months old.
Apart
from the vector control methods already mentioned, small,
mosquito-eating fish and copepods (tiny crustaceans) have also been used
with some success.
There is as yet no vaccine to protect against Dengue fever and the only way to prevent dengue
virus transmission is to avoid being bitten by the disease-carrying mosquitoes.
This
is done by controlling or preventing Dengue virus transmission which
prevents the vector mosquitoes spreading the disease even further.
Aedes aegypti breeds
mainly in man-made containers such as earthenware jars, metal drums and
concrete cisterns used for domestic water storage, but discarded
plastic food containers and toys, old tyres and other items that can
collect rainwater, gutters , drains, tree holes, palm fronds and leaves
that gather to form "cups" and catch water, are also potential breeding
sites.
This
means people living in areas where Dengue fever is endemic or where an
outbreak has occurred need to be vigilant on a regular basis about their
yards and garden areas to ensure they are not unwittingly providing
possible breeding sites for mosquitoes.
It
is also advisable to spray exposed body parts with a suitable insect
repellent and wear long sleeve shirts and clothing which covers arms and
legs - clothing may also be sprayed with repellent containing
permethrin or another EPA-registered repellent for greater protection
(permethrin should not be used on skin) - repellents that contain one of
the following active ingredients: DEET, Picaridin and Oil of Lemon
Eucalyptus - always follow the instructions on the label.
The American Academy of Pediatrics approves of the use of repellents with up to 30% DEET on children over 2 months old.
Apart
from the vector control methods already mentioned, small,
mosquito-eating fish and copepods (tiny crustaceans) have also been used
with some success.
How to Avoid Dengue Fever When Travelling
Travellers
can reduce their risk of getting Dengue fever by protecting themselves
from mosquito bites - the mosquitoes that spread dengue usually bite at
dusk and dawn but may bite at any time during the day, especially
indoors, in shady areas, or when the weather is cloudy ,and unlike malaria, dengue is often spread in cities as well as in rural areas.
Travellers
are advised where possible, to stay in hotels or resorts that are well
screened or air conditioned and that take measures to reduce the
mosquito population - if the hotel is not well screened, sleep under bed
nets to prevent mosquito bites and when outdoors or in a building that
is not well screened, use insect repellent on uncovered skin.
It
is worth noting that Dengue fever is the most common cause of fever in
travellers returning from the Caribbean, Central America, and south
central Asia.
