Preventing the spread of dengue fever has unofficially become a national emergency. Thousands of people have been afflicted with the dengue virus in the month of July 2021 alone, and the time to stop it from becoming an epidemic is almost running out. Dengue prevention, as it stands, can be difficult, but not impossible. What we need to do is take care of the problem at its source; mosquito infestations.
Source of Virus & Current State
“More than 1,920 men, women, and children have been admitted to the hospital solely in July”
Aedes mosquitoes or as many refer to it as, dengue mosquitoes are the main carriers of this virus, spread dengue to humans through a bite. According to the World Health Organization, they are daytime feeders, and are especially active during the early morning and just before dusk. However, a regular mosquito can also become a carrier after biting an infected person. Aedes mosquitoes thrive in moist and subtropical climates and lay their eggs in stagnant waters.
The first case of dengue fever was reported in Bangladesh in 2000. For most of its history in the country, the dengue virus hasn’t been as widespread as it is today. More than 6,650 patients have been admitted to the hospital Since January 2021. Hospitals are running out of resources to cope with the situation. There’s no place in the country where people aren’t in fear. That is why it has become imperative to take preventive action. So let’s take a look at what we can do to prevent dengue from further spreading as well as minimize mosquito infestation.
Environmental Management
Environment control will play the biggest role in dengue prevention and control. Our negligence and oversight allow Aedes mosquitoes to breed uncontrollably. By tweaking a few things here and there, we minimize the spread of dengue by a fair amount.
- Clear out Stagnant Water: As we mentioned, stagnant water is the main breeding spot for mosquitoes. Don’t let any kind of water be retained in a place longer than a few hours. Whether by yourself or with the help of your building’s community, take necessary steps to clean up every standing water.
- Put Lids on Water Containers: Barrels, containers, drums, tanks, and even buckets are a few places where we regularly store water for later use. Sometimes these ‘few days’ can become a ‘long while’ and create the perfect breeding ground for dengue mosquitoes. Using a tightly-shut lid will keep mosquitoes from accessing it.
- Cleaning Water Storage Vessels: Even if you keep a lid on water containers, you can never be too careful when it comes to dengue prevention. If the storage vessels aren’t cleaned at regular intervals, they can attract all sorts of pests, including Aedes mosquitoes. In fact, don’t just limit yourself to cleaning the water containers, go for it all! Clean up vases, plant pots, gutters, and any place that retains water in it for some time.
- Use Nets on Windows: One of the major oversights urban people of Bangladesh make is not using netting on their windows. Attaching mosquito nets inside or outside windows is a simple procedure that doesn’t cost a lot and provides a great return. Residents can relax and not worry about Aedes mosquitoes roaming around the home.
Personal Protection
Along with manipulating the environment to minimize dengue and Aedes mosquitoes, it is also advised you take personal measures to protect yourself. This primarily concerns protection against mosquito bites.
- Apply Mosquito Repellent Cream: Many people in Bangladesh aren’t aware of mosquito repellent creams and are only just learning about it. Like any other cream, you just apply it to your exposed skin. Odomos cream has recently become popular due to the sudden rise of dengue fever. There are other options than a cream though. There are mosquito repellent lotions, gels, and body sprays available in the market, even from the makers of Odomos.
- Use Aerosol Sprays: When we think about mosquito repellent, we think of aerosol sprays that kill mosquitoes. They don’t really kill these pests, but rather, they are somewhat effective at keeping these pests at bay. However, they are more effective when used in confined spaces. So shut the door and close your windows before using the spray.
- Wear Long-Sleeved Shirts and Long Trousers: While it may seem like common sense, many still forget how important it is to cover up to protect from dengue mosquitoes. Simply wearing long-sleeved shirts and long trousers can go a long way to prevent mosquito bites.
Unconventional Methods
The precautions and ways we mentioned so far are more or less well-known. There are, however, a few unconventional and lesser-known methods that you can employ for dengue prevention.
- Sprinkle Coffee Grounds: Here’s an unconventional technique to prevent mosquito infestation; sprinkle some coffee ground on standing water. It is a great natural way to eliminate Aedes mosquito breeding grounds. The coffee deprives the larvae of oxygen, thus, preventing infestation.
- Garlic Extract Spray: Another neat trick to get rid of mosquitoes is to use garlic extract. Crush a few garlic cloves, add a cup of water, and voila! Instant homemade mosquito repellent. Put the extract in a spray bottle and apply to places where mosquitoes nest. Garlic can be substituted for something similar that has a strong smell.
- Apply Aloe Vera: Aloe Vera extract has more than a handful of uses, one of them being anti-mosquito cream. Applying it to your skin makes you almost invisible to mosquitoes. It can protect you for an entire day while keeping your skin smooth.
- Stick Cloves on a Lemon: One of the simplest and most effective natural pest control tricks includes lemon and a few cloves. The combination of these two items is almost a guarantee to keep flies and mosquitoes away. Just wedge a bunch of cloves in half lemon and place it on the entry points of the apartments.
Taking protective measures against the dengue virus is crucial. Prolonged exposure to the virus can be very harmful and even cause death. So take note of these dengue prevention techniques and apply them to your life pronto.
