Aware of dengue fever!
Posted on: 21/Oct/2019 2:23:56 PM
Clothing: Start wearing long pants, long-sleeved shirts, and socks tucking pant legs into shoes or socks and wearing a hat just in order to reduce the amount of skin exposed.
Mosquito repellents: Use a repellent with at least 10 percent concentration of diethyltoluamide (DEET), or a higher concentration for longer lengths of exposure. Avoid using DEET on young children.
Mosquito traps and nets: Nets treated with insecticide are more effective, otherwise the mosquito can bite through the net if the person is standing next to it. The insecticide will kill mosquitoes and other insects, and it will repel insects from entering the room.
Door and window screens: Structural barriers, such as screens or netting, can keep the mosquitoes out.
Avoid scents: As heavily scented soaps and perfumes may attract mosquitoes, it is advisable to avoid using scents/perfumes.
Camping gear: Treat clothes, shoes, and camping gear with permethrin. Otherwise, purchase clothes that have been pretreated.
Timing: Do not get exposed to being outside at dawn, dusk, and early evening.
Stagnant water: The Aedes mosquito breeds in clean, stagnant water. Checking for and removing stagnant water will help reduce the risk.
For this purpose of reducing the risk of mosquitoes breeding in stagnant water:
- Turn buckets and watering cans over and store them under shelter. This will prevent the accumulation of water in these vessels.
- Remove excess water from plant pot plates.
- Scrub containers to remove mosquito eggs.
- Loosen soil from potted plants, to prevent puddles forming on the surface.
- Make sure scupper drains are not blocked and do not place potted plants and other objects over them.
- Use non-perforated gully traps, install anti-mosquito valves and cover any traps that are rarely used.
- Do not place receptacles under an air-conditioning unit.
- Change the water in flower vases every second day and scrub and rinse the inside of the vase.
- Prevent leaves from blocking anything that may result in the accumulation of puddles or stagnant water.
Symptoms of Dengue:
- Headache
- Muscle, Bone and Joint Pain
- Nausea
- Vomitting
- Pain behind the eyes
- Swollen Glands
- Rashes on the Skin
Please note an important point: No vaccine can protect against dengue fever. Only avoiding mosquito bites can prevent it. Anyone who lives in or travels to an at-risk area can use a number of ways to avoid being bitten.
Courtesy: Medical News Today
