What can the community do to prevent dengue?

You can protect yourself against dengue fever by taking the following precautions:

• Protect yourself against mosquito bites.
• Prevent mosquito breeding inside and outside your home.
• Avoid visiting areas prone to mosquitoes.

Following simple recommendations can help you prevent dengue and the breeding of mosquitoes:

• Turn over blank pails and buckets so that they do not collect extra  water.
• Buckets and drums should must cover that are used for storing water.
• Clean daily out all empty flower pots.
• Ensure that you do not over water potted plants.
• Clean and empty water plates and bowls of domestic pets at home and the water bowls of birds in the balcony.
• Repair broken septic tanks and cover vent pipes with wire mesh, if available  at home.
• Throw away the plants that you keep in water at home.
• Wear full clothes that can cover you completely. Wear long sleeved shirt long pants and closed-toe shoes instead of sandals.
• Apply mosquito repellents whenever possible or wear mosquito patches.
• The mosquitoes that carry the dengue viruses are most active from dawn to dusk keep windows and doors closed during theses hours.
• If it is cooler at home, make sure you clean it daily.
• Always keep the dustbins clean, do not let any dirt get collected to avoid mosquitoes.
• Use light camphor as it will help in keeping the mosquitoes away.
• Use mosquito nets while sleeping