Dengue Fever Prevention

Dengue fever is a viral infection commonly found in the tropical and sub-tropical regions that is carried and spread by the Aedes aegypti mosquito.

Currently, there are no vaccines to protect against the dengue virus and people are advised instead to take sensible precautions to decrease the likelihood of being bitten by the mosquito.

Several factors can help avoid the bites of these insects and include:

Awareness

Awareness is the first step in prevention. People should make sure they are aware of whether there is a risk of dengue infection and be ready to protect themselves if they are travelling to a region where infection is common.

Vector control

The multiplication of the mosquito that carries the dengue virus can be prevented by ensuring all areas are clear of potential breeding sites.

Aedes aegypti mosquitoes breed near water and lay their eggs in the walls of water containers, so these insects are common near water cisterns, unsealed septic tanks, decorative fountains, discarded tyres and bottles or boats and other vehicles that may collect water while stationary.

Often, pouring a thin layer of kerosene or another oil over stagnant water helps to prevent the breeding of the mosquito larvae. Vector control may also be achieved using small, mosquito-eating fish and copepods (tiny crustaceans) that eat the mosquito larvae and prevent spread.

Mark Carnegie-Brown (Oxitec): Advanced genetics & molecular biology for Aedes control

Prevention of mosquito bites

A single bite from the Aedes aegypti mosquito is often enough to transmit the dengue infection and adequate protection against mosquito bites is important. Simple precautionary measures such as wearing clothes that cover the whole body, sleeping under a mosquito net at night and using an insect repellent can help to prevent bites.

Unlike the malaria-carrying Anopheles mosquito, which mainly feeds between 5pm and 9am, the Aedes aegypti mosquito tends to bite during the day and these prevention methods therefore need to be applied by day.

An insect repellent should be sprayed on the skin and around the sleeping area. Repellant applied to the skin needs to be re-applied frequently. The most effective repellents contain diethyltoluamide (DEET) and are available in the form of sprays, roll-ons, sticks and creams.

Further Reading

Last Updated: Jul 17, 2023

Dr. Ananya Mandal

Written by

Dr. Ananya Mandal

Dr. Ananya Mandal is a doctor by profession, lecturer by vocation and a medical writer by passion. She specialized in Clinical Pharmacology after her bachelor's (MBBS). For her, health communication is not just writing complicated reviews for professionals but making medical knowledge understandable and available to the general public as well.

Citations

Please use one of the following formats to cite this article in your essay, paper or report:

  • APA

    Mandal, Ananya. (2023, July 17). Dengue Fever Prevention. News-Medical. Retrieved on October 11, 2024 from https://www.news-medical.net/health/Dengue-Fever-Prevention.aspx.

  • MLA

    Mandal, Ananya. "Dengue Fever Prevention". News-Medical. 11 October 2024. <https://www.news-medical.net/health/Dengue-Fever-Prevention.aspx>.

  • Chicago

    Mandal, Ananya. "Dengue Fever Prevention". News-Medical. https://www.news-medical.net/health/Dengue-Fever-Prevention.aspx. (accessed October 11, 2024).

  • Harvard

    Mandal, Ananya. 2023. Dengue Fever Prevention. News-Medical, viewed 11 October 2024, https://www.news-medical.net/health/Dengue-Fever-Prevention.aspx.

Comments

  1. Aseni Desilva Aseni Desilva Sri Lanka says:

    We did a study on ‘Correlation of clinical presentation and laboratory confirmation of dengue patients.’ The proportion of laboratory confirmed dengue patients were 56%. Mean platelet count and PCV in laboratory confirmed dengue patients were 60 269/mm and 41% (range 27-61%) and in non-dengue patients were 106 318/mm and 41.6% (range 29-53%). Based on WHO criteria for diagnosis of dengue, headache (48/56), retro-orbital pain (30/56), limb pain (51/56) and external bleeding (29/56) showed significant association with dengue. Neck pain (10/56), and lymphadenopathy (3/56) did not show significant association with dengue. The infection was confirmed as dengue fever in 11% and dengue hemorrhagic fever in 89% based on WHO criteria. https://goo.gl/GKiqaZ

  2. Akhil Arya Akhil Arya India says:

    Your article with respect to Dengue Fever is great. I feel extraordinary joy to be in contact with you and your experience and learning in the field of homeopathy. Much obliged for recalling that me through sends.

The opinions expressed here are the views of the writer and do not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of News Medical.
Post a new comment
Post

While we only use edited and approved content for Azthena answers, it may on occasions provide incorrect responses. Please confirm any data provided with the related suppliers or authors. We do not provide medical advice, if you search for medical information you must always consult a medical professional before acting on any information provided.

Your questions, but not your email details will be shared with OpenAI and retained for 30 days in accordance with their privacy principles.

Please do not ask questions that use sensitive or confidential information.

Read the full Terms & Conditions.

You might also like...
New analysis of Indonesia Wolbachia trial shows potential for greater dengue reduction