Dengue fever is an acute infectious viral disease, caused by all four types of dengue virus 1, 2, 3 and 4. It is transmitted by the bite of mosquitoes, most commonly Aedes aegypti found in tropical and subtropical regions.

Personal protection against mosquito bites should be done by using mosquito repellents creams, coils and mats.

Care should be taken to see that there are no stagnating water bodies around the living areas and the surroundings are kept clean.

Prevent mosquito entry by keeping doors closed and windows screened during the late afternoon before dark.

Use mosquito nets at home at night to avoid mosquito bite.

Aedes mosquitoes usually bite during the day; therefore, special precautions should be taken during early morning hours before day break and in the late afternoon before dark.

It is advisable not to store water in open containers. Covering all water containers with lids help prevent breeding of mosquitoes. Factors like overcrowding, open water storage and irrigation canals provide breeding grounds for mosquitoes.

Stagnating water bodies like overhead water tanks should be covered and must be cleaned regularly.

Personal protection against mosquito bites should be done by wearing full sleeved clothes that cover the body while going out for a walk in the morning or in the evening.

Cleaning the margins of water containers to dislodge the breeding of mosquitoes like Aedes aegypti.

Call a mosquito control agency and get your home sprayed to stop the spread of mosquito borne health problems like dengue and malaria.

Clean your air coolers on a regular basis and change water everyday to prevent mosquitoes from breeding.