Preventive Measures to control Dengue Fever

Dengue fever is a disease caused by a family of viruses that are transmitted by mosquitoes. Dengue is spread by the bite of an ‘Ades’ Mosquito. This mosquito bites the infected person and then bites someone else who is not affected thus transmitting the infection. As far as the treatment is concerned there is no specific course. However the affected person is treated with Paracetamol to bring down the fever. The person is usually recommended to drink lots of fluids.

How can dengue fever be prevented?

• The prevention of dengue requires control or eradication of the mosquitoes carrying the virus that causes dengue.

• To prevent mosquito bites, wear long-sleeved shirts, long pants, socks and shoes when outdoors.

• For personal protection, use mosquito repellant sprays that contain DEET when visiting places where dengue is endemic.

• “Aedes” mosquitoes usually bite during the day. Therefore, special precautions should be taken during early morning hours before day break and in the late afternoon before dark.

• Eliminate stagnant water that serve as mosquito breeding sites at home, workplaces and their vicinity.

• Using mosquito nets at home and patients need to be kept under mosquito netting until the second bout of fever is over and they are no longer contagious.

• Cover overhead tank to prevent access to mosquitoes.

• Eliminate breeding ground by removing unused plastic pools, old tires, or buckets and clearing clogged gutters.

• Conducts dengue awareness programs in your apartment complex and neighborhood.

• Advise people showing symptoms of dengue to immediately go for a check-up and get treatment.

• The most effective way to prevent mosquito bite and to reduce the number of mosquitoes around homes or neighborhoods is to find and eliminate their breeding sites.