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All members of the community should be protected against mosquito bites, particularly young children and pregnant women, and especially between sunset and sunrise when mosquitos are most active.
Mosquito nets, curtains or mats that are dipped in a recommended insecticide kill mosquitoes that land on them. Special, permanently treated mats should be used, or nets, curtains or mats that are dipped in insecticide regularly. Usually, the nets need to be re-treated when the rains begin, at least every six months, and after every third wash. Trained health workers can advise on safe insecticides and re-treatment schedules.
Babies and other small children should sleep under a treated mosquito net. If the nets are expensive, the family should buy at least one big net, which the small children can sleep under. Breastfed babies should sleep with their mothers under a net.
Treated mosquito nets should be used throughout the year, even during times when there are fewer mosquitoes.
If mosquito nets cannot be used, other actions can help:
- curtains, cloths or mats impregnated with a recommended insecticide can be hung over doors and windows
- screens can be put on doors and windows
- mosquito coils or other fumigants can be used
- clothing that covers the arms and legs (long sleeves and long pants or skirts) can be worn as soon as it begins to get dark. This is especially important for children and pregnant women.
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