To prevent mosquito bites, follow these guidelines:1
- Limit your outdoor activity between dusk and
dawn. Stay in screened or air-conditioned rooms or use an electric fan in your
room.
- Wear protective clothing (long pants and long-sleeved
shirts).
- Use insect repellent with DEET (N,N diethylmetatoluamide)
on your clothes and skin. The repellent is available in varying strengths up to
100%. In young children, use a preparation containing less than 24% strength,
because the chemical can be absorbed through the skin.
- Use bed nets (mosquito netting) sprayed with or soaked in an
insecticide such as permethrin or deltamethrin.
- Use flying-insect
spray indoors around sleeping areas.
- Avoid areas where malaria and
mosquitos are present if you are at higher risk (for example, if you are
pregnant, very young, or very old).
If you use a bed net treated with insecticide and use insect
repellents on your clothes, you can reduce your risk of becoming infected with
malaria.
Citations
Croft AM (2006). Malaria: Prevention in travellers.
Clinical Evidence (15): 1088-1106.
