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How dengue mosquitoes breed and spread: All you need to know

How dengue mosquitoes breed and spread: All you need to know

India Today23-06-2025
Dengue fever is a serious mosquito-borne illness that spreads rapidly, especially during the monsoon season. The Aedes aegypti mosquito, which spreads dengue, breeds in clean stagnant water and bites during the day. To protect yourself and your loved ones, it's crucial to understand how dengue spreads and what preventive steps you can take.The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, along with the National Vector Borne Disease Control Programme (NVBDCP) and National Health Mission (NHM), has issued easy-to-follow guidelines to help citizens stay protected.advertisementHOW DENGUE MOSQUITOES SPREADDengue mosquitoes breed in clean, still water that may collect in and around your home. These breeding spots include:Water tanks and containersFlower pots and traysCoolers and bucketsDiscarded tires, cans, and utensilsThe mosquitoes that cause dengue bite mainly during daylight hours, making daytime protection equally important.COVER ALL WATER STORAGE CONTAINERSEnsure that all tanks, drums, buckets, and utensils used for storing water are properly covered at all times.This is the first and most essential step to stop mosquito breeding at home.WEAR FULL-BODY COVERING CLOTHESTo reduce the risk of mosquito bites, wear long-sleeved shirts, full pants, socks, and shoes—especially during the day.Avoid sleeveless clothing or shorts, particularly for children and the elderly.USE MOSQUITO NETS AND REPELLENTSAlways use mosquito nets while sleeping, even during the day.advertisementYou can also apply mosquito repellent creams or sprays to exposed skin, especially when going outdoors.USE MESH OR NETTING ON WINDOWS AND DOORSFix fine mesh screens on doors and windows to prevent mosquitoes from entering your home.Repair any holes or tears to ensure full protection.CLEAN AND EMPTY UNUSED CONTAINERSEmpty and clean all coolers, pots, trays, and containers regularly, especially if they are kept outdoors.Avoid letting water collect in unused dishes, bottles, or broken furniture.USE LARVICIDES IN WATER STORAGE ITEMSWhere water cannot be emptied or replaced frequently, use larvicides as recommended by health authorities to kill mosquito larvae and prevent them from developing.EDUCATE YOUR FAMILY AND NEIGHBOURSCommunity efforts are key to stopping dengue. Spread awareness about mosquito breeding and prevention.Encourage everyone to keep their surroundings clean and dry.WHY PREVENTION IS BETTER THAN CUREDengue can cause high fever, rashes, joint pain, and in severe cases, internal bleeding and organ failure. There is no specific cure for dengue, and treatment is mainly supportive. This makes prevention not just important, but essential.Fighting dengue starts at home. With simple daily habits and community cooperation, we can significantly reduce the risk of dengue outbreaks.Keep water containers covered, avoid stagnant water, wear protective clothing, and spread awareness.Together, let's build a dengue-free and safer environment for all.Trending Reel
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