How to control Dengue?

If you know you have dengue, avoid getting further mosquito bites during the first week of illness. Virus may be circulating in the blood during this time, and therefore you may transmit the virus to new uninfected mosquitoes, who may in turn infect other people.

The proximity of mosquito vector breeding sites to human habitation is a significant risk factor for dengue.  At present, the main method to control or prevent the transmission of dengue virus is to combat the mosquito vectors. This is achieved through:

• Prevention of mosquito breeding:
• Preventing mosquitoes from accessing egg-laying habitats by environmental management and modification;
• Disposing of solid waste properly and removing artificial man-made habitats that can hold water;
• Covering, emptying and cleaning of domestic water storage containers on a weekly basis;
• Applying appropriate insecticides to water storage outdoor containers;

• Personal protection from mosquito bites:
• Using of personal household protection measures, such as window screens, repellents, coils and vaporizers. These measures must be observed during the day both inside and outside of the home (e.g.: at work/school) because the primary mosquito vectors bites throughout the day;
• Wearing clothing that minimizes skin exposure to mosquitoes is advised;

• Community engagement:
• Educating the community on the risks of mosquito-borne diseases;
• Engaging with the community to improve participation and mobilization for sustained vector control;

• Active mosquito and virus surveillance:
• Active monitoring and surveillance of vector abundance and species composition should be carried out to determine effectiveness of control interventions;
• Prospectively monitor prevalence of virus in the mosquito population, with active screening of sentinel mosquito collections;
• Vector surveillance can be combined with clinical and environment surveillance. 

In addition, there is ongoing research amongst many groups of international collaborators in search of novel tools and innovative strategies that will contribute in global efforts to interrupt transmission of dengue. The integration of vector management approaches is encouraged by WHO to achieve sustainable, effective locally adapted vector control interventions.

Source: https://www.who.int/nepal/news/feature-stories/detail/continuing-the-fight-against-dengue