Because there is currently no effective vaccine against dengue and no specific treatment for the disease, controlling and preventing dengue fever outbreaks are essential steps for keeping people healthy. With the recent outbreak of Dengue in Nepal here are a few tips on how to prevent dengue and protect your home.
So far, nearly 4,000 dengue cases have been identified since the beginning of the outbreak of 2019. Dengue fever is usually mild and subsides in about 7 to 10 days after the symptoms first appear. My recent published research suggests that only 10 percent of dengue-infected patients might develop a critical phase. So, most patients do not require hospitalization, only close supervision of a doctor, complete rest and plenty of fluids.
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Dump out any standing water near your home
Mosquitos can breed in just 14 days in a minute amount of water in an old flower pot, a rain gutter or birdbath. Mosquitoes lay their eggs in stagnant water, so the first step to reducing the number of mosquitoes on your property is to eliminate as much stagnant water from your property as possible
- Remove any unnecessary basins you may have in your yard, including wheelbarrows, buckets, and temporary swimming pools. If these items must remain outside, turn them upside down when not in use.
- Clear your gutters frequently. They often get clogged with leaves and other debris, which can hold small amounts of water.
- Even leaves on your lawn can provide enough water for mosquito larvae, so be sure to rake them up promptly.
- Add topsoil to low areas that tend to accumulate water. In extreme cases, you may need to regrade your yard to improve drainage.
- If any of your trees have rotted areas where water accumulates, fill the holes with mortar.
Keep mosquitoes outside
Use screens on the windows or air conditioning to keep mosquitos from slipping in a window. Or if you don’t have screens, consider getting a fine mosquito net to hang over your bed or crib. Some mosquito nets which are treated with a time-release insecticide, making them ideal for a camping trip.
Use mosquito repellent
There are many mosquito repellents that are available in the form of cream and sprays or body lotions. They can help you by repelling the mosquitos with its chemicals. They are totally safe to use and it is wise to use them especially when you go out. Apply the mosquito repellent in parts of your body that are exposed.
Wear light-colored clothing, especially outdoors
Apparently, deep colors — like black, deep blue and red — stand out so they attract bugs. Thicker fabrics and looser fits offer more protection than thin clothing that fits tightly.
Stay indoors during dusk and dawn
While mosquitoes can bite at any time of day, it’s wise to limit your exposure during their prime feeding times. If you can’t avoid being outdoors at these times of day, be sure to take some other precautions.
Make yourself less appealing
Scientists are still studying why some people get more mosquito bites than others. Drinking a 12-ounce beer makes some people more appealing, so does emitting more C02 or having more bacteria on your skin — which leads to more body odor. While people with type O blood — a mosquito favorite in one study — can’t change it, they can try wearing a scent that mosquitoes dislike.
Keep grass mowed and shrubs trimmed
Adult mosquitoes like to lounge in shrubs and tall grass, so try to eliminate these habitats as much as possible. This is especially important in areas very close to your house