Prevention of mosquito & bedbugs bites.
HOW TO PROTECT YOURSELF AGAINST DENGUE
1. Step one: stay indoor during dawn and dusk. Dengue carrying mosquitoes bite mostly during dawn (5-9am) and dusk (6-10pm), so it is recommended retraining from outdoor activities during peak AEDES AEGYPTY (the DENGUE vector) biting hours: During dawn and dusk.
2. Step two: protective clothing, limit the amount of exposed skin. Wear long-sleeved cloth, long trousers with socks and shoes. White or bright clothes. Beginning at sunset, wear long-sleeved shirts and long trousers in light colours such as beige or yellow. Dark clothing attracts mosquitoes, as does the scent of perfume or after-shave lotion.
3. Step three: mosquito repellent.
Repellents are substances applied to the skin to keep away or “repel” mosquitoes and other insects. Their purpose is to prevent contact with but not to kill insects, Repellents work by reducing attractiveness of human for mosquitoes. To find a suitable “blood donor”, mosquitoes are equipped with a sensory system, allowing them visual orientation and piloting by a variety of stimulants, such as heat, humidity, carbon dioxide and chemical attractants excreted by the human skin. These include amoniacids, ammonia, lactic acid, butyric acid and other chemical substances. Repellents interfere chemically with the mechanism that attracts mosquitoes to human skin. Products containing diethyltoluamide (DEET) are considered to be most effective. Depending on the formulation, insect repellent must be reapplied every 4 to 8 hours. DEET formulation as high as 30% are recommended for both adults and children +2 month of age, Repellent should first be applied to the caregivers hands and then to child. In Infants and small children, DEET should not be applied nears the eyes or on the portion of the hands likely to have contact with the mouth or eyes A recent randomized placebo controlled trial examined the use of DEET-base repellent (20% DEET) during 2nd and 3rd trimester of pregnancy. No adverse effects were identified in mother or fetus, providing some reassurance regarding the use of low concentration DEET-based repellents by pregnant women. Brand names of Repellent containing DEET in Mexico are ULTRATHON and H24 repellent. There is a new class of repellent PIPERIDINE-based, (AUTAN)
 
4. Step four: pyrethrin insecticides.
Permethrin, a synthetic pyrethroid originally derived from the Chrysanthemum spp of flower, is an insecticide that is extremely effective and safe. It is nor a repellent but a contact insecticide and should be applied to clothing or mosquito netting and allowed to dry for 4 hour prior to use, Permethrin-treated clothing can be considered safe for a minimum of 2 weeks, even with regular laundering. It is safe for children of any age, although if caregivers are concerned about its use on small infant clothing, it can be applied to mosquito netting environment as previously mentioned.
5. Step five: preparing your bed for the night.
A) Air-conditioned room / Windows and Door screens.
In one large survey of European tourist visiting East Africa, sleeping in air-conditioned rooms was found to significantly reduce the incidence of malaria; Use of electric fans may also reduce risk, although this has not been proven definitively. Those travellers who are not staying in well-screened or airconditioned rooms should spray living and sleeping areas with a pyrethroid-containing insecticide for flying insects (e.g., ordinary flying insect spray like Raid) during the evening and nighttime hours to kill any insect that may have entered the room during the day, Burning mosquito coils or candles formulated with mosquito repellents or using electric mats that vaporize pyrethroid insecticides also may avoid overnight exposure to insects. Insect “zappers” or electrocuters are not effective.
B) Insecticide-treated bed net.
Additional precaution should be taken for Travellers who are not staying in screened or air-conditioned rooms. Insecticide-treated bed net has been of proved benefice in Prevention of Malaria, and is safe for children and pregnant woman. Nets should extend to the floor or be tucked under the mattress to prevent access by mosquitoes.
What are some approaches that do not work?
- Thiamine (vitamin B1).
- Ultrasound devices.
- Electronic buzzers.
- Insect electrocution traps.
- Eating garlic
- Wearing perfume.
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