World Malaria Day 2024: What Precautions One Should Take To Prevent Malaria

1. For personal protection: The best way to prevent malaria is by preventing mosquito bite.

Wear protective clothing at night (loose-fitting, long-sleeved shirts and pants)

Apply insect repellent creams, especially those containing DEET (N,N-diethyl-meta-toluamide) on skin and clothes. The recommended repellent contains 20-35% percent DEET.

Use mosquito repellent coils and vaporizers.

Sleep under bed nets treated with insecticide.

Avoid outdoor activities during peak mosquito hours

Keep windows and doors closed or covered with screens to keep mosquitoes out of your house.

Repair broken screening on windows and doors

2. Seek early diagnosis: If in a malaria-prone area and experiencing symptoms like fever, chills, or headache, seek medical help promptly for easy treatment.

3. Adherence and completion of treatment: Follow the recommended treatment plans diligently for full recovery and to reduce transmission risk.

4. Travel precautions: Take personal protective measures when travelling to endemic regions, such as using insect repellent, sleeping under bed nets, and taking prescribed antimalarial medication.

5. Health education: Educate communities about malaria signs, prevention methods, and the importance of prompt medical attention.

Inputs By: Dr Nithin Kumar, Associate Prof of Community Medicine, Kasturba Medical College, MAHE, Mangalore