How to Help Stop the Spread of Malaria.
Malaria spreads through bites from infected mosquitoes.
Help stop this preventable and treatable disease with these tips.
You will need Internet access Preventative medication Insecticide-treated bed net Indoor
residual spraying Long clothes Bug spray with DEET Donations and medical attention (optional).
Step 1.
Identify where malaria is most prevalent; sub-Saharan Africa, tropical areas of South
America and Asia, and the Indian subcontinent all harbor the parasite that causes the disease.
If you're traveling abroad, check online for the risks in your specific destination.
Step 2.
Traveling to a malarial hotspot?
Have your doctor prescribe preventative medication well in advance of your trip.
Tell your doctor if you're pregnant or have any pre-existing conditions to ensure you
receive the most effective prescription possible.
You can still contract malaria even when taking preventative medication.
If you have a combination of fever, chills, sweats, nausea, headaches, and body aches,
seek immediate medical attention.
Step 3.
Hang an insecticide-treated mosquito net above your bed to create a barrier between your
skin and the insects; the insecticide will kill even those mosquitoes that get through
the net's small holes.
Step 4.
Wear long sleeves and long pants as often as possible, and use insect repellant with
DEET or Picaridin on clothing and any exposed skin to limit exposure and help prevent bites.
Drain areas of standing water to reduce the number of places mosquitoes can lay their
eggs and breed.
Consult the directions on bug spray bottles to ensure safe use.
Step 5.
Subject rooms to indoor residual spraying, the application of long-acting chemical insecticides;
this reduces the lifespan and population density of dangerous mosquitoes and limits the possibility
of their coming into contact with humans.
Step 6. Make a wider impact -- donate money or volunteer with organizations dedicated
to stopping the spread of malaria, and help create a healthier world.
Did you know Insecticide-treated bed nets, if used by the total population, have been
shown to lower the spread of malaria by 90 percent.