Travellers

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23 July 2004: Awareness of Insect Avoidance Measures During Summer Travel

Summer is the time when many British people take their holidays in Europe and North America. It is also the peak activity season for insects in these temperate climates. Although many travellers correctly consider travel to tropical areas the highest risk for many mosquito-transmitted diseases such as malaria, dengue fever and yellow fever, several other diseases can be acquired in temperate climates in the spring, summer, and autumn months. These include the mosquito-transmitted infections West Nile virus and other encephalitis viruses, and the tick-transmitted diseases Lyme borreliosis, tick-borne encephalitis, rickettsial infection and babesiosis.

It is important that both the traveller and those who advise them are aware of appropriate insect avoidance measures that include:

  • Wear loose fitting, light-weight clothing that covers up skin as much as possible
  • Limit outdoor exposure during peak times of mosquito feeding - usually the hours from dusk to dawn - with early morning and evening the periods when persons are usually exposed. However, the safest course is to use repellents when outdoors.
  • Apply insect repellents to exposed areas. Repellents that contain DEET are usually considered the most effective.
  • Manufacturer's instructions for repellents should be followed; they should not be applied to mucous membranes or to open or abraded skin
  • Clothing may be treated with insecticide sprays
  • Make sure that indoor accommodation is screened to prevent mosquitoes from entering
  • Mosquito coils can be burned or vaporizing mats used in enclosed areas if needed
  • Insecticide-treated netting can be placed around beds
  • Travellers in grassy or woodland areas should wear long trousers and tuck the legs into their socks. When returning from outdoor activity, a check for ticks should be performed.

Travellers should be aware of any change in their health on return, such as the development of a rash, fevers, or prolonged headaches. They should notify their doctor of their symptoms and travel history.

Health care providers should familiarize themselves with the basic signs and symptoms of insect-transmitted diseases, so that they will be able to recognize them in a returned traveller. They should also consult as appropriate with specialists or public health authorities. Travel history should be included in any requests for investigations in returning travellers.

Further information on insect avoidance and insect transmitted diseases can be found at the following links: