Precautions

In areas where there is a malaria risk it is sensible to take measures to prevent mosquito bites. A number of measures can be taken to reduce the risk of being bitten:

• As much as possible, remain inside in well-screened areas, especially at night when mosquitoes are most active.
• Use mosquito nets.
• Wear clothing that covers most of your body especially in the evening.
• On exposed skin, use insect repellent that contains diethyltoluamide, better known as DEET. Check with your doctor about which low-concentration DEET products are safe for children.
• Treat clothing and bed nets with permethrin, a safe synthetic insecticide made from plants.
• Before dusk, spray sleeping quarters with insecticide, or burn a mosquito coil.