Capital Health - Insect Precautions

Many diseases are transmitted through insects. Mosquitoes carry malaria, yellow fever, dengue, Japanese encephalitis are carried by mosquitoes. Blackflies, sandflies, and ticks can also transmit diseases. The only defence against many of these diseases is to avoid being bitten.

Protect Yourself From Insects

As much as possible, wear clothes that minimize exposed skin.
Avoid dark colours and perfumed products (they may attract mosquitoes).
Tuck pants into socks to avoid insect bites while in grass and wear closed shoes.
Spray outer clothes with permethrin, e.g. PermanoneTM.
Regularly check for ticks on your hair or clothes when outside in rural areas.
Use insect repellent containing DEET. For plane travel buy non-aerosol products. Products containing less than 30% DEET are effective for 4-6 hours. Lower percentages last a shorter time. Apply repellent sparingly and only to exposed skin and/or clothing. Do not apply DEET under clothing.
The Pest Management Regulatory Agency (PMRA) branch of Health Canada is recommending insect repellents containing less than 10% DEET be used on children ages 2 to 12 years and no insect repellents containing DEET be used on children under 6 months of age.

The Committee to Advise of Tropical medicine and Travel (CATMAT) however, recommends appropriate use of insect repellents containing DEET be used for people of all ages when travelling to malaria risk areas or if there is risk of other serious diseases from insects. CATMAT recommendations for DEET use in children

On children 6 months to 12 years repellents up to 35% DEET be applied sparingly to exposed areas only and to be washed off with soap and water once they come indoors.
On children younger than 6 months of age, the first line of protection against mosquitoes should be permethrin impregnated mosquito nets and clothing. DEET in these children should NOT be withheld if the risk of malaria outweighs the risk for DEET toxicity. In rare instances (1:10 million users) application of DEET has been associated with seizures in young children. Consult with a travel health professional regarding use of DEET in children younger than 6 months.
Sleep in a closed air-conditioned room or a screened room and spray with flying insect spray (e.g. RAID). Mosquito coils or insecticide mats placed on an electrically heated grid can also be used.

Use a bed net which has been treated with permethrin, tuck in well under the mattress at night and tie up during the day. Bed nets (permethrin treated) are available at Travellers' Health Services.