The recent outbreak of the dengue fever has gotten everyone edgy.
Dengue fever also known as breakbone fever is most commonly transmitted by bites from infected mosquitoes, Aedes aegypti. Some of the symptoms of dengue include fever, headache, muscle and joints pains, and a characteristic skin rash that is alike measles. More often than not, dengue is a mild illness but it can be severe and even cause dengue hemorrhagic (bleeding) fever (DHF) which can be fatal if left untreated.
The number of cases of people treated for dengue has been on a rapid rise in the country over the past few months and in order to prevent you from getting it, here are some preventive measures one can take:
- Empty stagnant water from old tires, trash cans, flower pots, barrels, buckets, cans and anything else that contains water. If not emptied, make sure the container or tank is covered with a lid.
- Wear long pants and long sleeves to prevent mosquito bites. Now we know that can be asking a little too much given the temperamental weather conditions we have in Malaysia so for personal protection against mosquito bites, use mosquito repellant sprays that contain DEET (N,N-diethyl-m-toluamide). When travelling to an area where the mosquito and virus are endemic, avoid standing near water and stay indoors two hours after sunrise and before sunset. The Aedes aegypti mosquito is known to a be a daytime biter and its peak periods of biting are around sunrise and sunset.
If you have any of the symptoms that are related to dengue, seek medical treatment immediately. Stay safe everyone!
The pictures below contain more detailed information on Dengue and ways to prevent it.
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