Mosquito Borne Diseases

What mosquito borne diseases can I catch?

As people become more and more adventurous in their travels , and exotic travel destinations like the wild countrysides of beautiful South East Asian countries such as Vietnam, Thailand and Indonesia become more popular, there is an increasing risk of travellers contracting mosquito borne diseases. Mosquito borne diseases are rampant in most tropical regions of the world , especially rural, forested and coastal areas.

Mosquitoes can transmit diseases like:

Malaria

Dengue Haemorrhagic Fever

Yellow Fever

Japanese B Encephalitis

How do I protect myself from mosquito borne diseases?

Wear light-coloured, long-sleeved clothes with long pants , especially when going out at night.

Do not use perfume , jewellery or brightly coloured clothes

Restrict outdoor activities during the night from dusk to dawn to prevent being bitten by the anopheles mosquito which carries the malaria parasite.

Apply insect repellant to all exposed skin, reapplying the repellant frequently as it wears off.

Sleep in airconditioned rooms, and if no airconditioning is available, use a mosquito net or sleep in rooms where the windows are fitted with fine wire netting. Use mosquito coils.

When travelling to malaria-prone countries, see your doctor at least one week before your trip for a suitable anti-malaria medication. You will need to start this medication before you go, continue it throughout your trip , and for at least 4 weeks after your return.

If travelling to areas where yellow fever and Japanese B encephalitis are endemic, get yourself vaccinated at least 6 weeks before your trip.