Avoiding mosquito-borne diseases while traveling alone. There is no completely effective way to avoid mosquito-borne diseases. Even efforts to take anti-malarial drugs are not 100 percent. Unfortunately, they are the best option for travelers to tropical areas. Our only solution is to take reasonable measures, stay in contact with appropriate medical personnel, and watch for public information in the media.
What do Zika, dengue fever and malaria have in common? Visitors may not be as familiar with dengue fever as they are with Ebola. They are all hemorrhagic. Fortunately, dengue fever has a much lower mortality rate. In any case, Zika virus, malaria and dengue fever all have one feature in common. They are transmitted mainly by mosquitoes.
Like all other travelers, with no medical training, I try to take reasonable precautions when traveling to remote tropical destinations. Here are my five tips for amateurs.
Tip #1:
Go to a traveler's clinic a few weeks before you leave home. This is especially important if you are going to a tropical location. I did this even before the recent tragic Ebola and Zika virus outbreaks. Many diseases that we take for granted have been eradicated in the United States have emerged or re-emerged. A good example is polio and a dangerous form of tuberculosis.
Tip 2:
Avoid mosquitoes at all costs. The reason? There are more than fifty species, and there's no way to tell which ones carry deadly diseases and which ones don't. So when you see someone heading your way, make your best impression on beachcombers in Jaws III to stay safe! The first line of defense is to cover up as much as possible. Some mosquitoes are "snacking" all day, although this is especially true during the main feeding time. On my hunts in Southern Africa, I enjoyed elegant dinners outside every night. We were strongly advised to wear long sleeves, long pants and socks. In hot weather, it can be tempting to avoid this advice. Once while traveling alone in the dengue region of Central America, I looked in amazement at my fellow hiker. She was wearing shorts and a halter top. She provided a veritable feast for feasting mosquitoes! In India, I opted for the quality (and beautiful) faux silk fabrics they market. In addition to providing some mosquito coverage, they help prevent sunburn. (Remember, if you can see through it, so can the sun!) Some time ago I slept under a mosquito net in a small hotel in the Caribbean. Modern hotels tend to be air conditioned and sealed, and may spray the floor. However, even in a lovely five-star Southeast Asian hotel, I was "serenaded" by a predatory mosquito. The bottom line? They are crafty beasts that can get in almost anywhere.
Tip 3:
Research mosquito repellent amines and other repellent products carefully before you leave home. Keep in mind your own skin sensitivities. I once bought a mixture of sunscreen and insect repellent. I'm not sure how effective this combination would be in a serious mosquito infestation. I still tend to sunburn when I try this method, but I am very sensitive to light, so this may not be typical. Past advice has been to apply sunscreen first. Wait ten minutes and then apply insect repellent. Today on the internet, I found out that this advice may change.
Tip #4:
Treat your clothes with permethrin or other chemical deterrents. This is a bit tricky. I dutifully purchased permethrin spray over the Internet. Once I read the precautions, I was ready to run. A key point was to use the spray in a well-ventilated area. For me, that meant outside. In the harsh winters when it doesn't work rain or snow. To make matters worse, clothes need to be dried or left in a ventilated area for a while. How is this possible for a trip to Cambodia in the New Year?
Tip #5:
Leave your couture at home. Buy clothes that have been prepped. This has worked well for me. I was surprised to find there were some attractive options for sporty styles. They are also quite economical. Having just gotten my prescription for malaria, I am rereading my own tips. I want them to escape the fanciest of mosquitoes. We welcome your feedback and tips.