How to prevent diseases carried by mosquitoes?
Being a tropical island of course we have our share of mosquitoes. And besides them being a nuisance, they can also carry diseases such as Dengue, Chikungunya and Zika. It is highly recommended to take preventive measures against mosquito bites. Mosquitos are mostly active around dawn and dusk and this is what you can do to protect yourself against mosquito bites:
Cover water storage containers and empty plant pots daily.
Use loose and light-colored clothing that cover arms and legs when outside and consider spraying clothing with bug repellant.
Use repellents containing one of the following:
DEET
Picaridin
IR 3535
Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus
You can use a product containing 20% to 25% DEET which will protect you for 6 to 8 hours. Always adhere to the usage guidelines provided on the product label, particularly when applying it on children. To prevent ingestion or eye irritation, avoid applying repellent on children's hands. If you are also using sun protection, apply it first, followed by the insect repellent. Repellants are available in all supermarkets and drugstores.
If you’re pregnant, make every effort possible not to be bitten by mosquitoes. The recommended repellents are safe to use during pregnancy.
Protect infants by placing mosquito nets over beds, cribs, and strollers. Mosquito netting is especially helpful for babies younger than 2 months on whom repellents can not yet be used.
For more information, please use the following contact numbers:
To reach the Department of Health hotline via WhatsApp (voice or video messages): +5999 527 0854.
For inquiries during office hours, please call: +5999 432 2867.
