Protection against Mosquitoes, Ticks, & Other Insects & Arthropods
Vaccines or chemoprophylactic drugs are available to protect against some vectorborne diseases such as yellow fever and malaria; however, travelers still should be advised to use repellents and other general protective measures against biting arthropods. The effectiveness of malaria chemoprophylaxis is variable, depending on patterns of drug resistance, bioavailability, and compliance with medication, and no similar preventive measures exist for other mosquitoborne diseases such as dengue or chikungunya. There has been a recent resurgence in bed bug infestations worldwide, particularly in developed countries (Box 2-03).
CDC recommends the use of products containing active ingredients that have been registered by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for use as repellents applied to skin and clothing. EPA registration of active ingredients indicates the materials have been reviewed and approved for efficacy and human safety when applied according to the instructions on the label.
Vaccines or chemoprophylactic drugs are available to protect against some vectorborne diseases such as yellow fever and malaria; however, travelers still should be advised to use repellents and other general protective measures against biting arthropods. The effectiveness of malaria chemoprophylaxis is variable, depending on patterns of drug resistance, bioavailability, and compliance with medication, and no similar preventive measures exist for other mosquitoborne diseases such as dengue or chikungunya. There has been a recent resurgence in bed bug infestations worldwide, particularly in developed countries (Box 2-03).
CDC recommends the use of products containing active ingredients that have been registered by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for use as repellents applied to skin and clothing. EPA registration of active ingredients indicates the materials have been reviewed and approved for efficacy and human safety when applied according to the instructions on the label.