Travelers should be advised to avoid being bitten by Aedes mosquitoes. These preventive measures are recommended by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and include the following:
- Select accommodations with well-screened windows or air conditioning when possible. Aedes mosquitoes typically live indoors and are often found in dark, cool places such as closets, under beds, behind curtains, and bathrooms. Travelers should be advised to use insecticides to eliminate mosquitoes in these areas.
- Wear clothing that adequately covers the arms and legs, especially during the early morning and late afternoon.
- Apply insect repellent to both skin and clothing (e.g., permethrin). The most effective repellents contain DEET.
- For long-term travelers, empty and clean or cover any standing water in your accommodation that can be a mosquito-breeding site (see also prevention by mosquito control).
See Also:
- Protection Against Mosquitoes, Ticks, and Other Insects and Arthropods: Details on products and practices to reduce your exposure to mosquitoes and other dangerous vectors
- Dengue Fever (DF) and Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever (DHF): Background on dengue for travelers and travel medicine practitioners.
- CDC Travel Notices: Outbreaks and Information