Preventive measures to protect yourself from mosquitoes

Mosquito bites might seem like a minor inconvenience—an itchy bump that fades after a few days. But behind these small irritations lies a much more serious threat. The bite of a mosquito can carry diseases that impact millions of lives worldwide, turning a simple bite into a potential health crisis.

When a mosquito bites, it triggers an immediate reaction—a raised bump and redness that peak within 20 minutes. This is followed by a more persistent, itchy bump that can last up to 10 days. For those with allergies, these symptoms can escalate, turning a minor annoyance into significant discomfort.

The real danger extends beyond the itch. Mosquitoes are carriers of deadly diseases such as malaria, dengue, yellow fever, Zika virus, chikungunya, and West Nile virus. These illnesses can cause severe symptoms, long-term health issues, or even death, making mosquito bites a serious concern.

In India, the burden of mosquito-borne diseases is immense. Malaria, dengue, and chikungunya not only strain our healthcare system but also profoundly affect millions of lives. The financial cost of treating these diseases is staggering, exacerbating the challenges faced by families and public health systems.

The Indian government is tackling this issue through the National Vector Borne Disease Control Programme (NVBDCP). This initiative focuses on reducing the incidence of vector-borne diseases through comprehensive surveillance, vector control, and public awareness campaigns. Such efforts are crucial in the fight against mosquito-borne illnesses.

In contrast, Brazil has taken bold steps by experimenting with genetically modified mosquitoes. These modified insects are designed to curb the population of Aedes aegypti, the primary vector for dengue, Zika, and chikungunya.

Preventive measures should you adopt to save yourself from mosquitos

Prevention remains crucial. Using insect repellent, wearing protective clothing, installing window screens, and eliminating standing water where mosquitoes breed are effective measures everyone can adopt.

With the rains and the collected pools of water nearby, there is an increased risk of infections like Dengue, Malaria and other mosquito transmitted illnesses. Some preventive measures to avoid our chances of getting bitten by mosquitoes include:

1. Wear full sleeved clothing and full pants when outdoors. Socks can also be worn when outdoors to avoid being bitten by mosquitoes.

2. Avoiding going out at peak mosquito hours (dawn and dusk).

3. Applying mosquito repellents on the body and on clothing to prevent mosquito bites.

4. Eliminating breeding sites by not allowing water to collect nearby. Keeping the surroundings clean and dry.

5. Ensuring all doors and windows have proper screens to prevent mosquitoes from entering.

6. Planting mosquito repellent plants like citronella, lavender and basil around house and in gardens.

7. Spraying of insecticides like Pyrethrin and Malathion can be sprayed around the households.

8. Fogging of societies with insecticides like pyrethroid can be used to get rid of mosquitoes.

9. Mosquito larvae eating fish like Gambusia can be kept in water bodies which can be used as a biological agent for controlling mosquito larvae.

In summary, while a mosquito bite might appear trivial, the health risks can be severe. Understanding these dangers and supporting public health initiatives are essential to protecting ourselves and our communities from the devastating impact of mosquito-borne diseases. Together, we can make a difference and safeguard our health.