Preventive measures

Preventive measures

Dengue fever is only transmitted through dengue-infested
mosquitoes. Killing the adult mosquitoes is not enough to prevent
the disease from spreading as infected female mosquitoes may also
transmit the virus to their offspring by transovarial (via
females' eggs) transmission.

The most effective measure to prevent dengue fever and dengue
hemorrhagic fever is to:

1. Regularly empty and clean thoroughly domestic water storage
vessels. Pet and animal watering containers and vases with fresh
flowers should be emptied and scoured at least once a week. This
will eliminate the mosquito eggs and larvae.

2. Items that collect rainwater or are used to store water should
be covered tightly to reduce potential mosquito breeding sites.

3. Discard or bury properly unused items that may collect
rainwater such as used car tires, plastic containers, bottles,
and cans.

Other preventive measures include:

* Spraying mosquito repellents between 6 a.m. and 9 a.m. and
between 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. around the house.
* Screening doors and windows.
* Sleeping with a mosquito net.
* Using insect repellent containing N,N-diethylmetatoluamide
(DEET)
* Raising larvae-eating fish inside ponds.

Source: Coalition for a Healthy Indonesia.