Recently, we have faced a new threat to our health, which has affected people from children to the elderly. The problem does not choose where to strike, as it occurs in the poorest areas as well as those of the highest standard, and the only way to eliminate it is by destroying the breeding sites. So let’s join together for the health of our families and learn how to prevent dengue.

With the onset of the rainy season, the problem has only gotten worse, with the number of cases increasing every day. This has caused genuine despair in hospitals, especially public ones, where the number of doctors cannot accommodate the high demand for medical care. Dengue is a disease transmitted through the bite of the infected Aedes Aegypti mosquito, whose main symptoms are high fever and body aches.

The dengue mosquito develops and multiplies in small or large containers of standing water, often in the backyards of homes themselves. That’s why the Health Surveillance regularly visits houses, businesses, and any building or establishment that could pose a risk to look for breeding sites of the Aedes mosquito.

During the health agent’s visit, they will look for possible breeding sites and inform residents about the precautions everyone should take in their homes, thus reducing the risks of proliferation in the area. The Zoonoses Control Center is responsible for applying insecticides in places with a high number of cases, sometimes even using fumigation vehicles in some regions to spread a cloud of insecticide through the streets. To reduce dengue cases in Brazil, unfortunately, is not only up to the authorities, but is in the hands of the population. If everyone does their part and takes care of their own area to prevent the virus from spreading, we will be able to fight this mosquito that has been taking away the health of many people, including many cases of children and adults dying.

As there is no vaccine against dengue, the best way to prevent it is to ensure the mosquito stays as far away from our family as possible. Keeping objects protected from the rain to avoid the accumulation of standing water is the first step to keeping the disease away from your home. However, since we can’t rely on the common sense of our neighbors, we have to protect ourselves even more and help the health surveillance by inspecting the area and reporting whenever we find possible breeding sites. Some precautions are essential and must be taken everywhere in order to eliminate the breeding grounds. Here are some examples:

  • Keep empty bottles with the mouth facing down
  • Put sand in plant saucers
  • Keep water tanks, buckets and pools well covered.
  • Always keep gutters clean
  • Store tires in places without access to rain or water

Keep any object and waste that could collect standing water inside a lidded trash can. If you find a dengue breeding site or area with standing water, report it by calling 0800 770 5870. Your health and that of others will thank you for your action.

How to Prevent Dengue in Children

Aedes Aegypti Mosquito

If, when contracted, dengue already causes serious harm in adults, imagine in a child who has lower immunity? Unfortunately, children often pay the price for the neglect of adults who do not contribute to the community. To reduce the chances and prevent children from getting dengue, doctors recommend using repellents to help during this outbreak of the disease. There are repellents in spray, gel, cream, and even oil forms. Some, however, are not recommended for babies, so it’s necessary to only use them after consultation with a pediatrician.

Installing mosquito screens on windows and, if possible, doors is another option that has been widely used in homes with children. In addition, you can use citronella-based products, which repel not only the dengue mosquito but also other types of insects. Citronella can be found in disinfectants, oils, and even repellent candles. Keeping children in long pants and long-sleeved shirts is another way to avoid dengue mosquito bites, and some schools are already recommending this to parents to prevent outbreaks in schools.

Some may see these precautions as excessive, others as necessary. After all, we are going through a dengue crisis where thousands of people are being infected daily, with some even losing their lives. Therefore, every precaution is important, and being careful is never too much. After all, it’s better to be safe than sorry, isn’t it?

See also: How to Get Rid of Lice

Photos: Sanofi Pasteur