INSECT PROTECTION
INSECT PROTECTION
There are vaccines against some mosquito-borne diseases (e.g., yellow fever, Japanese encephalitis) and you can take medication to help prevent malaria. But you should also take precautions to avoid getting bitten in the first place. Your first line of defense against mosquitoes and insects is known as “personal protective measures” (PPM), as listed in the following section.
PLEASE NOTE: Seek medical attention ASAP for fever and flu-like symptoms during the trip and in the first year following your return, especially for the first two months. Tell the medical provider where you traveled.
General Suggestions
Malaria-carrying mosquitoes bite between dusk and dawn. Avoid outdoor activities at night. Retreat to a well screened-in area.
Yellow fever and dengue-carrying mosquitoes bite during daytime and are in urban and rural areas.
Wear tightly woven clothes that cover most of the body, especially after dark.
DEET and permethrin can damage synthetic materials, plastic on eyeglass frames and watch crystals.
Lighter colors don’t attract mosquitoes as much as darker clothing. Tuck your pants into your socks.
Avoid drying clothes on the ground.
Don’t sit on sand or on the ground without using a ground cover such as a towel or blanket.
Stay in a screened accommodation far away from mosquito breeding sites.
Reapply repellent if starting to get bitten.
Do not wear perfume or aftershave, jewelry or bright colors.
Take only unscented toiletries.
Wear boots or sneakers, not sandals.
Insect Repellents
Applying the correct insect repellent may be the most effective and easiest way to protect you from getting an insect bite. Not all insect repellents are the same, and careful consideration is needed depending on your planned exposure.
Use an insect repellent containing DEET, or picaridin, in a concentration of 20–35 percent for most activities.
Apply repellents only to exposed skin.
Depending on product choice and application, DEET can last up to 12 hours.
Space repellent sprays (i.e. coils) may be helpful.
No repellent is effective against stinging insects (bees and wasps).
Always follow the recommendations on the product label. Remember to reapply as directed on the label.
Apply sunscreen at least 30 minutes before applying a DEET-based insect repellent
Oil of lemon eucalyptus is a non-chemical solution, similar to low-concentration DEET.
Protective Clothing
Proper clothing does provide a physical barrier to biting insects. However, using a chemical to treat that clothing will dramatically increase its ability to protect.
The use of permethrin, an insecticide, to spray or impregnate clothing is highly recommended for protection against mosquitoes and other insects. Permethrin will kill or stun insects touching the treated fabric.
Treat clothes or mosquito nets according to manufacturer’s instructions.
Treated fabric will last through multiple washings.
The combined use of DEET on the skin and permethrin on clothing is highly effective in protection against insects.
Mosquito Nets
Research shows that sleeping under a mosquito net, especially one impregnated with permethrin, is highly effective against night-biting insects. Mosquito nets should be thoroughly inspected for holes. After you get under the netting, tuck the netting under the mattress, ensuring that no mosquitoes can get inside.
Deet
When using deet:
DEET and permethrin can damage synthetic materials, plastic on eyeglass frames and watch crystals.
Always follow the recommendations on the product label.
Use enough repellent to cover exposed skin or clothing. Heavy application is not necessary to achieve protection.
Do not apply repellent to cuts, wounds or irritated skin.
After returning indoors, wash treated skin with soap and water.
Do not spray aerosol or pump products in enclosed areas. Do not spray such products directly on your face. Spray your hands and then rub them carefully over the face, avoiding eyes and mouth.
Mosquito Disease Prevention
| Zika | |
|---|---|
| Symptoms | 80% no symptoms Mild symptoms Usually Temp <101° Rash on face then body Itchiness Mild joint pain Pinkeye/Conjunctivitis Headaches Fatigue Muscle Pain Lasts several days–one week Affinity for neuro tissue Guillain-Barre Syndrome |
| Treatment | Rest Fluid to prevent dehydration Acetaminophen only |
| Incubation | 3–14 days |
| Transmission | Daytime mosquito bites Prefers people Indoor/outdoor Sexual contact Mother to fetus |
| Immunity | Possibly lifetime, but still unknown |
| Prevention | Use mosquito repellent containing DEET (Picaridin less effective, botanical repellents not effective). Do not travel to area if you are pregnant or considering pregnancy. Stay in air conditioning and/or well screened homes. Consider sleeping under mosquito net. Reschedule outdoor activities. Avoid high times for mosquitos. Wear protective clothing: long sleeves, long pants, hats, socks, shoes Wear light or pale colors. Mosquitos are attracted to dark blue and black. Treat clothing with Permethrin. Mosquitoes do not like sunny or windy areas. |
| Diagnosis | Blood and urine test: 7–10 days to receive results. Tell your medical provider you have traveled outside the country. |
| Risk Groups | Pregnant women Travelers |
| Chikungunya | |
|---|---|
| Symptoms | Sudden high fever >102° for 2–4 days Mild to severe joint pain (symmetric) Headache Severe muscle pain Back pain Rash on abdomen, arms, legs, palms) in 50% of cases |
| Treatment | Bed rest Fluids NSAIDs (e.g., ibuprofen, aspirin, naproxen) |
| Incubation | 3–7 days, up to 12 days |
| Transmission | Daytime mosquito bites Prefers people Outdoor peak times: first 2–3 hours after dawn and mid- to late-afternoon, all day if cloudy Indoor peak time: all day |
| Immunity | Lifetime |
| Prevention | Use mosquito repellent and remember to reapply. Only apply repellent to exposed skin. Stay in air conditioning and/or well screened homes. Consider sleeping under mosquito net. Reschedule outdoor activities. Avoid high times for mosquitos. Wear protective clothing: long sleeves, long pants, hats, socks, shoes Wear light or pale colors. Mosquitos are attracted to dark blue and black. Treat clothing with Permethrin. Mosquitoes do not like sunny or windy areas. |
| Diagnosis | Blood and urine test: 7–10 days to receive results. Tell your medical provider you have traveled outside the country. |
| Risk Groups | Residents of or travelers to infected areas |
| Dengue | |
|---|---|
| Symptoms | Sudden high fever for 4–6 days Severe pain behind eyes Mild to severe muscle and joint pain Lower back pain Fatigue, weakness Abdominal pain Nausea/vomiting Skin rash, bruising Mild bleeding (gums, nose) Loss of appetite and taste Symptoms for 2–7 days or longer |
| Treatment | Bed rest Fluids Acetaminophen Avoid NSAIDs (e.g., ibuprofen, aspirin, naproxen), which may worsen hemorrhagic bleeding. |
| Incubation | Approximately 4–10 days after the bite |
| Transmission | Populated urban and residential areas Daytime mosquito bites Highest during warm, humid seasons Prefers people Mosquito can transmit virus via probe, even without drawing blood Outdoor peak times: first 2–3 hours after dawn and mid- to late-afternoon, all day if cloudy Indoor peak time: all day |
| Immunity | Lifetime, but five different viruses |
| Prevention | Use mosquito repellent and remember to reapply. Only apply repellent to exposed skin. Stay in air conditioning and/or well screened homes. Consider sleeping under mosquito net. Reschedule outdoor activities. Avoid high times for mosquitos. Wear protective clothing: long sleeves, long pants, hats, socks, shoes Wear light or pale colors. Mosquitos are attracted to dark blue and black. Treat clothing with Permethrin. Mosquitoes do not like sunny or windy areas. |
| Diagnosis | Blood and urine test: 7–10 days to receive results. Tell your medical provider you have traveled outside the country. |
| Risk Groups | Residents or travelers in tropical areas, those with a history of dengue fever virus |