By Zheng Qi 2021-03-06

While community-wide source reduction targets mosquito breeding at its origin, individual protection focuses on creating a personal barrier between you and the Aedes mosquito—the sole vector that transmits dengue. The most effective strategy is a multi-layered approach that combines ‌physical barriers‌, ‌chemical repellents‌, and ‌environmental controls‌ to minimize exposed skin and reduce opportunities for mosquitoes to bite, especially during their peak daytime feeding hours.

Reducing Exposed Skin: Your First Line of Defense

‌Long-sleeved clothing and long pants‌ made of tightly woven, light-colored fabrics serve as a simple yet highly effective physical barrier. Light colors are less attractive to mosquitoes than dark ones, and tightly woven materials prevent mosquitoes from biting through the fabric. For added protection, clothing can be treated with permethrin, an insecticide that repels and kills mosquitoes on contact and remains effective through multiple washes.

‌EPA-approved mosquito repellents‌ applied to exposed skin are essential for blocking the mosquito’s ability to detect human scent. The most widely recommended and studied active ingredients include:

‌DEET (N,N-Diethyl-meta-toluamide):‌ Concentrations of 20–30% provide several hours of protection and are safe for adults and children over two months old when used as directed.

‌Picaridin (also known as Icaridin):‌ Often preferred for its odorless, non-greasy formula, it offers comparable protection to DEET and is gentle on skin and plastics.

‌IR3535 (Ethyl butylacetylaminopropionate):‌ A biopesticide repellent derived from amino acids that is effective against Aedes mosquitoes and suitable for sensitive skin.

Repellents should be applied evenly to all exposed skin areas (avoiding eyes, mouth, and open wounds) and reapplied according to label instructions, especially after swimming or heavy sweating. For children, adults should apply the repellent to their own hands first and then gently spread it on the child’s skin.

Securing Your Living and Sleeping Spaces

‌Installing and maintaining window and door screens‌ with a mesh size of at least 1.2 mm x 1.2 mm creates a physical barrier that keeps mosquitoes out while allowing ventilation. Any tears or gaps should be repaired promptly, and screens should be checked regularly for proper fit.

‌Using air conditioning‌ not only cools indoor spaces but also reduces indoor humidity and airflow, making environments less attractive to mosquitoes. Keeping windows and doors closed while the air conditioner is running further minimizes entry points.

‌Sleeping under insecticide-treated mosquito nets (ITNs)‌ provides crucial protection during daytime naps or nighttime sleep. While Aedes mosquitoes are primarily daytime biters, they can also bite in shaded indoor areas during early evening, and ITNs offer additional protection against other nighttime-biting mosquitoes that transmit diseases like malaria. The insecticide coating on ITNs repels and kills mosquitoes on contact, enhancing the net’s effectiveness even if it touches the skin.

Supplementing with Additional Household Interventions

‌Household insecticide aerosols and mosquito coils‌ can reduce indoor biting activity by killing or repelling mosquitoes in enclosed spaces. These should be used with caution in well-ventilated areas to avoid respiratory irritation, and always kept out of reach of children and pets.

‌Electric insecticide vaporizers‌ (liquid or mat types) offer longer-lasting protection in single rooms and are particularly useful in bedrooms or living areas during peak mosquito activity hours.

‌Personal spatial repellents‌ like wearable repellent bracelets or clip-on devices containing metofluthrin or other vaporized insecticides can provide localized protection for individuals in both indoor and outdoor settings.

Integrating these personal protection measures with the community-based source reduction strategies discussed earlier creates a comprehensive defense against dengue transmission. By consistently wearing protective clothing, using effective repellents, securing homes against mosquito entry, and sleeping under treated nets, individuals can significantly lower their risk of infection—not only protecting themselves but also reducing the chance of becoming an unknowing source of virus transmission to others in their community.

Edited by: Secretariat of the Asia-Pacific Network for Drug and Diagnostics Innovation
Produced by: Zheng Qi
Reviewed by: Zhang Haobing
Tel: 021-64377008-2510 Fax: 021-54108329
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