Commentary - Mosquito bite prevention made easy

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. James Castro-Guerrero
  • 8th Medical Operations Squadron
KUNSAN AIR BASE, Republic of Korea --  Mosquito bites are itchy and downright annoying.

Also, in many countries just one tiny mosquito bite can result in much more serious consequences such as a potentially life-threatening illness. Diseases transmitted by mosquitoes include malaria, West Nile virus, dengue fever, yellow fever and Japanese Encephalitis.

Different types of mosquitoes carry different diseases and are native to different areas around the world. South Korea has several species of mosquitoes and at present two types spread disease. One type carries malaria and is located primarily around the Demilitarized Zone. Another type can transmit Japanese Encephalitis. JE is most common in rural areas where rice paddies and other sources of standing water are common.

Japanese Encephalitis is a viral disease. It causes serious inflammation of the brain, which may lead to permanent brain damage, or other neurological problems and can be fatal in 5 to 15 percent of seriously affected patients.

However, the great majority of cases, approximately 99 percent, produce no symptoms at all or a mild influenza-like illness. South Korea typically reports six to seven cases of JE per year, but last year there was a significant spike at 26 cases. The increase may have been due to the higher than normal rainfall in August and September 2010 and the subsequent increase in the mosquito population.

There haven't been any reported cases this year and the public health office is monitoring the situation closely. Public health personnel set traps to catch mosquitoes. They are then sent to a lab to identify the particular species and are tested for the presence of JE.

Although there is a vaccine to prevent JE, it's currently in short supply due to a manufacturing change-over. If the incidence of JE rises this year, a vaccination may be recommended based on risk.

The best prevention though is stopping the mosquito from biting you. Insect repellents, mosquito nets, insecticides, special clothing and fly screens help keep mosquitoes and other biting insects away.

A great way to prevent mosquito bites is to wear pants and long-sleeved shirts. This does work, but it isn't always practical. If you find yourself in a situation where wearing long-sleeved shirts and pants would be uncomfortable, there are other tips you can follow.

For example, choose neutral colors, like khaki and avoid bright colors. Mosquitoes are attracted to bright colors. Mosquitoes are also attracted to perfumes and other fragrances. Some people recommend consuming garlic, brewer's yeast or bananas to ward off mosquitoes. The effectiveness of these remedies hasn't been proven but they won't hurt you and might help.

When used properly, chemical repellents are safe for adults and kids (over 2 months) alike. Keep in mind repellents don't kill mosquitoes; they just make it harder for them to find you. That means even when a repellent is working, you may still see these annoying insects buzzing about.

Apply repellents containing DEET or picaridin to your exposed skin. Reapply as directed on the label. If using in conjunction with sunscreen, apply the sunscreen first followed by the repellant. Wash the repellant off at the end of the day before going to bed. Use a permethrin spray on your clothing, shoes, tents, mosquito nets and other gear for greater protection. Citronella and other types of repellant candles and coils can be used to discourage a mosquito invasion over a small area. The 8th Civil Engineer Squadron pest control flight will use larvicides and sprays to prevent mosquitoes from hatching and kill flying insects when needed.

Remember an ounce of prevention is worth many pounds of cure, especially when it comes to diseases transmitted by mosquitoes. Protect yourself and your family from these annoying and sometime dangerous pests.

More information is available at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) at http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/diseases/list_mosquitoborne.htm.