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.