Cases of Dengue fever are being
reported from Delhi and Kolkata. As there is no vaccine, preventing mosquito
bites is the only way to avoid the disease.
The Disease
Dengue or "break-bone" fever is a viral disease found in tropical
and sub-tropical areas. It is transmitted by the
Aedes aegypti
mosquito.
This insect bites during the day and is often found in and around human
habitation. Symptoms of dengue include high fever, severe headache, cough,
and joint and muscle pain. A rash often follows these symptoms. The acute
illness can last up to ten days, and complete recovery can take two to
four weeks.
Occasionally, a potentially fatal
form of dengue called dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF) occurs. DHF usually
occurs in patients who have previously had dengue fever, and its fatality
rate is about 5 percent.
Prevent mosquito bites.
Mosquitoes transmit many diseases that threaten travelers, and different
mosquitoes bite at different times of the day. For example, the mosquitoes
that spread malaria bite at night (from "dusk until dawn"), whereas
the mosquitoes that spread dengue fever bite during the day.
Prevent bites while outdoors:
-
Wear light-colored clothing that
covers most of the body (long sleeves and long pants).
-
Use insect repellent that contains
DEET. Adults and children more than two months of age can use preparations
containing up to 35% DEET - the higher the concentration, the longer it
repels. Longer acting preparations are also available. Reapply after swimming
or excessive sweating.
Prevent bites while you are
indoors or asleep:
-
Check that there is fly-wire on
the windows.
-
Use "knock-down" insect
spray to kill mosquitoes in your room.
-
Use mosquito coils or electric
insecticide vaporizers if mosquitoes can get into your room.
-
Note that air conditioning also
repels mosquitoes.
-
Consider using a bed net impregnated
with pyrethrin.
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