Preventing Mosquito Bites

[Samuian]

Thanks for all the words of advice everyone.

One more question. Is there any particular area where the Dengue fever outbreak is occurring right now, or is it all over the country?

The reality of it is FondueUSA, Dengue fever is probably one of the last things you should worry about whilst in LOS. Theres a whole heap of other <deleted> thats more likely to happen to you, especially considering you are going to be half smart about covering up etc etc.

RELAX about the Dengue & take great care about every other thing you do in LOS, including crossing the sidewalk, catching tuk tuks and taxis & even navigating your way through the airport, just to name a few.....

The other way is to make sure one gets infected and the resulting Immunity can then be perceived as boon compared to all the other "little mozzies" around in LoS!

[geriatrickid]

IMO, the Dengue infection data available to the public is misleading. The system of reporting and the compilation of infections is spotty at best. What one sees in Thailand is that only the most serious cases are counted.People can be infected but asymptomatic. It's not intentional, but the reporting of the disease is passive, i.e. it is done by hospitals and designated treatment facilities on a voluntary basis. If Somchai Wiggins toughs it out and doesn't seek treatment, no one knows. Poverty acts as a barrier for those that are ill as they cannot afford medical care. As such, the incidence of Dengue Fever is significantly higher than reported in the popular press. However, insect borne diseases are part of life in the tropics just as head lice is part of the urban experience in the USA and EU.

People travel to Puerto Rico every year and don't give DF a second thought, and yet DF infections occur there. In the USA, there are serious neuronvasive infections of West Nile Virus, also carried by mosquitos and yet people still flock to California, Alabama and Arizona where the cases are diagnosed. Would you avoid visiting California for fear of contracting WNV? If so, then you should avoid Thailand nd its DF. However, if you are prepared to follow the advice of other posters (long sleeves & pants at certain times of the day and insect repellent) you will be ok. Life is full of danger. If we stayed indoors, we'd all probably die from boredom and heart disease. Don't let the DF keep you from visiting.

[FondueUSA]

Thanks everyone for your input. Perhaps I am worrying to much.

[dmax]

go to any mini mart 7-11 buy a 5 baht sachet with two wipes inside, rub them round your toes, ankles,elbows,knees, throw away wipes into bin, no mozzie bites for the rest of the day. 5pm - 7pm is worst for mozzies also early morning , also if you are near water or a large garden with tubs and shrubs .