Control and Prevention

Use Insect Repellent

Insect repellents can be very effective in preventing bites when applied thoroughly and according to manufacturer’s instructions. Types of insect repellent suitable for application on skin include:

• DEET (diethyltoluamide) is the most widely used insect repellent in the U.S. Formulations containing between 10-35% DEET are considered effective. DEET with concentrations above 50% offer longer lasting, but not greater, protection.
• Picardin, also known as KBR 3023 and icaridin outside the U.S. is effective at repelling mosquitoes at a concentration of 20%; concentrations less than 10% are considered ineffective.
• IR3535 (ethyl butylacetylaminopropionate) can be applied to the skin at concentrations between 10-20%, with 20% being the most effective.
• Oil of lemon eucalyptus (OLE) is an extract of the eucalyptus plant that contains a synthetic or enriched form of a chemical ingredient known as p-Mentane-3,8-diol, or PMD. It is used in concentrations of about 30%.

Types of insect repellent for application on clothing and outerwear include:

• Permethrin spray spray. Following manufacturer instructions carefully, a concentration of 0.5% can be sprayed on outer surfaces of clothing and outerwear. Do not apply directly to skin. Note that permethrin can also be used to spray bed nets or mosquito netting if sleeping outdoors or in locations where mosquitoes would otherwise have free entry.

For help choosing an insect repellent, see the Environmental Protections Agency (EPA) website, Find the Repellent that is Right for You.

Eliminate breeding sites

Eliminate standing water by covering or removing equipment, overturning containers, disposing of debris, and filling potholes in low-lying areas.

Another strategy is to add larvicide or cooking oil to standing water where possible to kill mosquito larvae.

Take Preventative Medicine

There are a number of medications that prevent malaria. Talk to your health care provider about anti-malarial medications if you are traveling to or working in tropical or subtropical locations where malaria is prevalent. It is important to note that some anti-malarial medications have unwanted, sometimes serious, side effects and some are known to be harmful to pregnant women and people with health conditions. In addition, certain medications may not work in countries where malaria transmission is high. It is important to take these factors into consideration when discussing malaria prevention drugs with your healthcare provider.

Get Vaccinated

There are no FDA-approved vaccines for adults against mosquito-borne diseases native to the United States. For those who travel for work and work overseas, there are vaccines for the following diseases:

NOTE: The live-attenuated Chikungunya vaccine, IXCHIQ, is no longer available in the U.S. due to patient safety concerns.

• Yellow Fever. This vaccine is recommended for people traveling to areas of Africa and South America where yellow fever transmission occurs. Many countries require proof of yellow fever vaccination as a condition for entry.
• The Chikungunya vaccine, VIMKUNYA, is recommended for adults traveling to areas where there is an active chikungunya outbreak
• Japanese Encephalitis vaccination should be considered for some travelers at risk, including those who work outdoors in areas where transmission is occurring.

Additional Precautions

Reduce mosquito bites by wearing loose, long-sleeved shirts and long pants, avoiding work at dawn or dusk, and working in sunny, open areas when possible, as mosquitoes prefer shaded locations with vegetation (trees, tall grasses) to avoid dehydration in sunlight.