Prevention & Control

How do people avoid getting malaria?

Avoid outbreaks

To the extent possible, travelers should avoid traveling in areas of known malaria outbreaks. The CDC Travelers' Health web page provides alerts and information on regional disease transmission patterns and outbreak alerts.

Avoid mosquito bites

Mosquitoes bite particularly at twilight and at night, so you should take most precautions during this time. Be aware of peak exposure times and place because exposure to arthropod bites may be reduced if travelers modify their patterns of activity or behavior. Although mosquitoes may bite at any time of day, peak biting activity for malaria diseases are most active in twilight periods (for example, dawn and dusk) or in the evening after dark. Avoiding the outdoors or focusing preventive actions during peak hours may reduce risk.

Use mosquito repellent cream

Mosquito repellent containing diethyl toluamide (DEET) is recommended as the most effective form of bite-preventive treatment. Optimum protection can be provided by applying repellents. The CDC recommended insect repellent should contain up to 50% DEET (N,N-diethyl-m-toluamide), which is the most effective mosquito repellent for adults and children over 2 months of age. It has an excellent safety profile in adults, children and pregnant women and has been used in over 8 billion doses in the last 50 years. Other products are less effective, but may have some use. Lemon scent was found to protect citrus groves from mosquitoes, and refined lemon eucalyptus oil on skin also repels mosquitoes.

Insecticides

Aerosol insecticides, vaporizing mats, and mosquito coils can help to clear rooms or areas of mosquitoes. Insecticides should always be used with caution, avoiding direct inhalation of spray or smoke.

Wear appropriate clothing

Travelers can minimize areas of exposed skin by wearing long-sleeved shirts, long pants, boots, and hats that is thick enough to stop the mosquitoes biting will also protect you, and should be worn outside after sunset. Tucking in shirts and wearing socks and closed shoes instead of sandals may reduce risk. Repellents or insecticides such as permethrin can be applied to clothing and gear for added protection; this measure is discussed in detail below. But it may be hard to follow such advice in a hot climate. Light colours are less attractive to mosquitoes.

Bed nets

When accommodations are not adequately screened or air conditioned, bed nets are essential to provide protection and to reduce discomfort caused by biting insects. If bed nets do not reach the floor, they should be tucked under mattresses. The net should be small-meshed, with no holes, and tucked in under the bottom sheet. During the day, it should be rolled up, so mosquitoes and other insects can't get inside while it's not in use. Bed nets are most effective when they are treated with an insecticide or repellent such as permethrin. Pretreated, long-lasting bed nets can be purchased prior to traveling, or nets can be treated after purchase. The permethrin will be effective for several months if the bed net is not washed. (Long-lasting pretreated nets may be effective for much longer.)