From the Guidelines
To prevent mosquito-borne diseases like malaria and dengue, use DEET-based insect repellents with a concentration of less than 50% and take individual protective measures such as wearing long-sleeved shirts and long trousers when outdoors, and avoiding outdoor activity during early morning and evening hours. When outdoors, it is essential to apply insect repellents and wear protective clothing to minimize exposure to mosquitoes. According to 1, using DEET-based insect repellents with a concentration of less than 50% is recommended. Additionally, wearing long-sleeved shirts and long trousers when outdoors can help prevent mosquito bites. It is also crucial to avoid outdoor activity during early morning and evening hours when the peak biting time for many species of mosquitoes is from dusk to dawn. Some key measures to prevent mosquito-borne diseases include:
- Using DEET-based insect repellents with a concentration of less than 50%
- Wearing long-sleeved shirts and long trousers when outdoors
- Avoiding outdoor activity during early morning and evening hours
- Eliminating standing water around the home where mosquitoes breed It is also important to note that while 1 provides recommendations for the prevention of malaria among travelers, the most recent and highest quality study 1 should be prioritized when making a definitive recommendation.
From the FDA Drug Label
Mefloquine is a prescription medicine used to prevent and treat malaria. You will start taking mefloquine to prevent malaria between 1 to 3 weeks before you travel to a malaria area. Continue taking mefloquine for 4 weeks after returning from a malaria area. Use protective clothing, insect repellents, and bednets to protect you from being bitten by mosquitoes Medicine alone does not always stop you from catching malaria from mosquito bites.
To avoid getting malaria from a mosquito bite, you should take mefloquine as prescribed by your doctor, and also use:
- protective clothing
- insect repellents
- bednets It is essential to note that mefloquine is used to prevent malaria, but it does not work for all types of malaria, and it is not known if mefloquine is safe and effective in children under 6 months old for the treatment of malaria 2. However, mefloquine does not prevent dengue. The provided information does not mention the prevention or treatment of dengue.
From the Research
Measures to Prevent Malaria and Dengue
To avoid being bitten by malarial or dengue mosquitoes, several measures can be taken:
- Use of insect repellents, such as DEET, picaridin, and IR3535, which have been shown to be effective in preventing mosquito bites 3, 4, 5, 6
- Wearing protective clothing, such as long-sleeved shirts and pants, to cover exposed skin
- Staying in air-conditioned or screened areas to reduce exposure to mosquitoes
Insect Repellents
Some of the most effective insect repellents include:
- DEET, which is a broad-spectrum repellent that provides complete protection over a long period of time 3, 4, 6
- Picaridin, which has been shown to be as effective as DEET in some studies 5, 7
- IR3535, which is a synthetic repellent that has been shown to be effective against mosquitoes and other arthropods 4, 6
Effectiveness of Repellents
The effectiveness of repellents can vary depending on the specific product and the individual using it:
- DEET has been shown to be highly effective in preventing mosquito bites, but its effectiveness can decrease over time 3, 4
- Picaridin has been shown to be as effective as DEET in some studies, but its effectiveness can also decrease over time 5, 7
- IR3535 has been shown to be effective against mosquitoes and other arthropods, but its effectiveness can vary depending on the specific product and the individual using it 4, 6
Safety and Toxicity
The safety and toxicity of insect repellents can vary depending on the specific product and the individual using it:
- DEET has been shown to be safe and non-toxic when used as directed, but it can cause skin irritation and other adverse effects in some individuals 3, 4, 6
- Picaridin has been shown to be safe and non-toxic when used as directed, but it can cause skin irritation and other adverse effects in some individuals 5, 7
- IR3535 has been shown to be safe and non-toxic when used as directed, but it can cause skin irritation and other adverse effects in some individuals 4, 6