Personal Prevention Measures
It is important for patients infected with dengue, chikungunya or Zika virus to minimize contact with the vector. This measure helps prevent the spread of the virus and therefore the disease. Patients, their household members, and the community, must be educated about the risk of transmission to others and the ways to minimize this risk by reducing vector population and human-vector contact.
The following actions are recommended to minimize vector-patient contact:
- Patients should rest under mosquito nets (bed-nets), treated with or without insecticide.
- Patients and other members of the household should wear clothes that cover the extremities.
- Apply repellents containing DEET, IR3535 or Icaridin to exposed skin or clothing; its use must be strictly in accordance with the instructions indicated on the product label.
- Use wire-mesh screens on doors and windows.
These personal prevention measures are also effective in preventing transmission of the virus to healthy people.
Travelers
Prior to departure
Health authorities should advise travelers heading to any country with documented circulation of dengue, chikungunya, and/or Zika virus to take the necessary measures to protect themselves from mosquito bites, such as using repellents, appropriate clothing that minimize skin exposure, and using insecticides or nets. It is also important to inform travelers of the symptoms of dengue, chikungunya, or Zika virus, in order to assist them in identifying it promptly during their trip. This advice could be relayed through travel medicine services, clinics, travel health web pages of the Ministry of Health, or other relevant government web pages.
While visiting places with dengue, chikungunya and/or Zika virus transmission
Advise travelers to:
- Take appropriate measures to protect themselves from mosquito bites through use of repellents or use of appropriate clothes that minimize skin exposure.
- Avoid mosquito-infested areas.
- Use nets and/or insecticide.
- Recognize symptoms of dengue, chikungunya, and Zika virus and seek professional health care if any of these symptoms occur.
Upon returning
Advise travelers returning home, that if they suspect they have dengue, chikungunya, or Zika virus they should contact their health care provider.