Methods To Protect Yourself From Dengue: A How-To Guide to Protect Yourself from Dengue

Dengue fever is a mosquito-borne viral infection that can cause severe illness.^[1] It is found in tropical and subtropical areas of the world, including Malaysia.^[1] Symptoms of dengue vary with each person and may range from mild to severe. 

A person may get dengue up to 4 times as dengue fever is caused by any one of four dengue viruses (DENV-1, DENV-2, DENV-3, and DENV-4).^[1] The second dengue infection tends to be more severe.^[1] Severe dengue may require hospitalisation and lead to complications.^[1] ​

Dengue spreads through the bite of an infected Aedes mosquito.^[1] Aedes mosquitoes often bite more than one person within the same area, therefore affecting families and urban communities.^[4] 

As there is no specific treatment for dengue fever,^[1] prevention is the best way to protect yourself. Read more to find out how to keep dengue at bay below.

Don't Let Your House Become An Aedes Breeding Area

The Aedes aegypti mosquito is the primary vector of the dengue virus^[1]; it thrives in cities and urban areas.^[14] This species is also known to be an aggressive biter during daytime^[1] and bites both indoors and outdoors.^[4] 

To reduce the chance of being bitten, it is first important to reduce the number of mosquitoes around. This may be done by preventing mosquitoes from breeding – mosquitoes require standing water to lay their eggs.^[1] Eliminating any opportunity for water to puddle helps minimize the chance of mosquitoes to breed.

Prevent mosquitoes from breeding in and around your home by^[1],[5]:

• Keeping gutters clean and free of stagnant water.
• Changing the water in pet dishes and flowerpots at least once a week.
• Draining or disposing of cans, buckets, plastic containers, toys, tires, or other items that can hold water.
• Covering or removing containers that can't be drained or disposed of.
• Covering rain barrels with mosquito-proof screens.
• Keep fishes in the pond.

Other methods to protect yourself

1. Use Mosquito Repellents

Using mosquito repellent safely and correctly can protect you from mosquito bites by acting as a "barrier".^[6] For maximum protection, topical mosquito repellents should be applied to all exposed skin but avoid your eyes and mouth.^[6] When using any insecticide product, always read and follow the label directions carefully.

2. Protect Your Skin

Cover up! Wearing long sleeves and pants in bright colours outdoors can help keep mosquitoes from biting.^[5] Treat your clothing with insect repellent like permethrin or buy pre-treated clothing to help keep mosquitoes from landing on you.^[2]

Scientists have found that some people are more attractive to mosquitoes than others. Things like alcohol consumption^[7] and pregnancy^[8] can make you more attractive to mosquitoes, and pregnant women need to be especially cautious of mosquito-prone areas as research suggests that pregnant women's body temperature is about 0.7°C higher, releasing more skin odors that attract mosquitoes.^[8]

If you're concerned about being a mosquito magnet, avoid being outdoors during peak mosquito-biting hours (dusk to dawn).^[10]

3. Add Mosquito Net to Your Windows

For those who dislike air conditioning, install mosquito screens on your windows and doors. Screens help keep mosquitoes out of your house. Repair any holes in screens to keep mosquitoes from coming indoors.^[3]

4. Use Mosquito or Sleeping Net

If installing screens at your windows is not an option, consider placing a sleeping net around your bed to prevent mosquitoes from biting you at night.^[10] Make sure the net has no holes in it and is tucked in tightly under your mattress or sleeping pad so that mosquitoes can't get inside.

There are smaller versions of the net that may be used to cover strollers and baby carriers with mosquito netting when outside. Consider these portable options to keep mosquitoes away from your child.​

Plant Some Herbal Plants to Repel the Mosquitoes

Some plants have the ability to repel mosquitoes.^[11] By planting them around your house you may deter mosquitoes from being near your family. Plants that have been shown to be effective at repelling mosquitoes include^[11]:

1.  Marigold
2.  Lemongrass 
3.  Basil
4.  Aloe Vera
5.  Neem
6.  Crowfoot Geranium
7.  Longjack (Tongkat Ali)
8.  Vetiver root
9.  Floramaster

Make Sure Your Housing Area Has a Frequent Fogging Routine

Fogging is a method of insect control that uses very fine droplets of an insecticide to kill mosquitoes.^[12]  Fogging can help to reduce the mosquito population in an area, but it's important to make sure that it's done properly to be safe and effective. If you stay on private property, consider consulting an expert service provider or your housing management team to see if it is suitable for your building.​

Take control of your health today

Along with all the dengue prevention strategies mentioned above, vaccination is also now possible in Malaysia. Speak to your doctor to see if you and your loved ones are suitable. 

Prevention is the best line of defense.

References

1. World Health Organization. Dengue and Severe Dengue. Available at https://www.who.int/en/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/dengue-and-severe-dengue. Accessed 24 August, 2022. 
2. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. About Permethrin-Treated Clothing and Gear. Available at https://tinyurl.com/9m9tuf2s. Accessed 24 August 2022.
3. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (n.d.). Available at https://www.cdc.gov/mosquitoes/prevention/index.html Accessed 21 November 2024
4. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2019, September 26). Transmission. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Retrieved September 8, 2022, from https://www.cdc.gov/dengue/transmission/index.html 
5. Bahagian Pendidikan Kesihatan Kementerian Kesihatan Malaysia. Info Sihat. . Demam Denggi. Available at https://infosihat.moh.gov.my/demam-denggi.html. Accessed 24 August, 2022. 
6. Mosquito repellent. National Environment Agency. (n.d.). Retrieved August 25, 2022, from https://www.nea.gov.sg/dengue-zika/stop-dengue-now/use-of-mosquito-repellents  
7. Shirai O;Tsuda T;Kitagawa S;Naitoh K;Seki T;Kamimura K;Morohashi M; (n.d.). Alcohol ingestion stimulates mosquito attraction. Journal of the American Mosquito Control Association. Retrieved August 25, 2022, from https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12083361/ 
8. Dobson, R. (2000, June 10). Mosquitoes prefer pregnant women. BMJ (Clinical research ed.). Retrieved August 25, 2022, from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1127358/  
9. ACBrisbane. Mosquito-Proofing Your Home: The Role of Air Conditioning. Available at https://acbrisbane.com.au/blogs/news/will-air-conditioning-kill-mosquitoes#:~:text=Air%20conditioning%20cannot%20directly%20kill,the%20number%20of%20mosquitoes%20inside. Accessed 23 October 2024.
10. PORTAL MyHEALTH. Demam Denggi. Available at http://www.myhealth.gov.my/demam-denggi/. Accessed 24 August, 2022. 
11. Kaedah alternatif - IDengue Versi 3.0. (n.d.). Retrieved August 25, 2022, from https://idengue.mysa.gov.my/content/kaedah_alternatif.pdf 
12. PestBusters. Aedes Fogging. Available at https://pestbustersmalaysia.com.my/pages/aedes-fogging-malaysia/.  Accessed 24 August, 2022. 
13. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Mosquitoes Bite Symptoms and Treatment. Available at https://www.cdc.gov/mosquitoes/mosquito-bites/symptoms.html. Accessed 24 August, 2022.
14. Agha, S.B; Tchouassi, D.P. Urbanization of Aedes mosquito populations and evolution of arboviral disease risk in Africa. Available at : https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S2214574522001237. Accessed 23 October 2024.

C-ANPROM/MY/DENV/0071 JAN 2025

This article is brought to you by Takeda Malaysia Sdn. Bhd.

Disclaimer: This information is available to public for information purposes only; it should not be used for diagnosing or treating a health problem or disease. It is not intended to substitute consultation with a healthcare provider. Please consult your healthcare provider for advice.