Ways to help prevent dengue, that might surprise you
 

Do you need to protect yourself against dengue?
 


No specific treatment exists for dengue fever, so preventing it by avoiding mosquito bites and reducing the mosquito population is the best way to protect yourself. [1] Remember that everyone living in an area where dengue is common could be at risk, even people who have been infected in the past, whether they showed symptoms or not. [1]


Know your mosquitoes – understand dengue transmission

Dengue is caused by a virus that is carried by Aedes mosquitoes, which are most active during daylight hours [2] and especially at dawn and dusk. [1] The virus spreads easily in urban areas with high population density. [3] The good news is that you can protect yourself from dengue by avoiding mosquito bites!

 

Did you know?

Aedes mosquito lays eggs in stagnant water which can survive up to one year [4]

Learn more about Aedes mosquitoes

 

Make your home a no-fly zone

Be proactive about prevention to help reduce your risk of getting dengue fever. [1] You can take the following commonly recommended precautions that some people may be familiar with to help protect yourself and your loved ones and keep these disease-carrying mosquitoes at bay!
 

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Mosquitoes love standing water. Get rid of or cover any containers around your home that collect water, like old tires or flowerpots. If you cannot, make sure you empty and scrub them once a week. [5]

  • Make sure your windows and doors have screens. [5]
  • Use insect repellents, mosquito coils, and vaporizers, and insecticide-treated materials in your home. [3]
  • Use traps for mosquitos, such as ovitraps [6] or fishes that eat mosquito larvae. [7]
  • Wear loose and protective clothing. [5] Mosquitoes can bite through tight clothes. Wear loose long trousers, long-sleeved shirts, and socks. [1]
  • Grow plants that can ward off mosquitoes, like citronella grass, lavender, mint, or basil. [8]

 

Did you know?

An adult mosquitofish can eat up to 100 mosquito larvae per day [10]


Protect yourself from dengue mosquitoes when you’re out and about

Use insect repellent containing DEET on your skin and clothes. Wear light-colored clothes that cover as much of your body as possible. Long-sleeved shirts, long pants, socks, and shoes are your best friends in the fight against mosquito bites. [1], [3], [11]


Preventing dengue is a team effort

By getting involved in programs in your community that help control mosquitoes, you can make a difference in reducing the chances of getting dengue fever. [9]

These initiatives are all about lowering the number of mosquitoes around us, which in turn helps improve protection from dengue. [9]

If you have the chance to join in, go for it! Your help can truly make a difference to boost your community's overall health and safety. [3]


Governments are actively working to help control dengue fever
 

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  • Dengue surveillance: coordinated monitoring of dengue cases and reported presence of mosquitoes to predict and detect outbreaks early and identify high-risk areas [12]
  • Vector control: reduce the number of mosquitoes that can transmit dengue by getting rid of standing water, spreading insecticides, or spreading mosquitoes infected with the Wolbachia bacteria. [12] This helps reduce the dengue virus's ability to multiply inside the mosquitoes and for mosquitoes to reproduce. [13]
  • Education: run public awareness campaigns to educate communities [12], including kids at school [14]

 

Ongoing vigilance

Stay informed about local outbreaks and adapt your prevention strategies accordingly. Stay informed, stay safe!


Prioritize dengue prevention

There is currently no specific treatment for Dengue, so prevention is key. [1], [5]

C-ANPROM/IN/QDE/0036, Date of Preparation: December 2025

References