Diseases
Mosquitoes have been around for over 120 million years – a lot longer than humans! In that time they have evolved into over 3,500 different species. We are particularly vulnerable to them because they carry so many harmful viruses and parasites.
Lyme Disease
What is Lyme Disease
Lyme disease, also known as Lyme borreliosis, is a bacterial infection that occurs in Europe, including the UK, North America and in temperate areas of Asia.
Lyme disease is transmitted to humans by infected ticks, mainly the sheep/deer tick. Ticks can be found during long walks in the park or fields, particularly areas of long grass.
The risk of Lyme disease is greatest for travellers who are involved in outdoor activities in wooded/grassy areas and moorland, such as camping, walking, hiking. The more active the more attractive you become. Ticks can also be found in urban parks and gardens.
There is no vaccine available against Lyme disease.
Recommendations for Travellers
· Wear long clothing, particularly covering legs.
· Spray incognito® insect repellent or rub in incognito lotion, suncream insect repellent or roll-on and reapply every 5 hours.
· Carry a tick remover, if you are bitten remove the tick safely to ensure the whole tick is extracted. Pulling a tick may leave half of the tick on your body.
The Illness
The first sign of infection is often a rash at the attachment site that appears after 3 – 30 days. The rash is red and gradually expands outwards over days. It is not usually itchy or painful. Other symptoms may include fever, headache, chills, fatigue, joint pains, muscle ache and swollen glands. The rash gradually gets better over weeks.
A red, itchy circular rash that appears and gets better in the first 2 days after tick attachment is usually due to a local reaction to the tick itself and is not a sign of Lyme infection.
If the infection is not treated, within a few days to weeks the infection may spread to other areas of the body and could affect the heart, nervous system and joints.
Source: https://www.fitfortravel.nhs.uk/
Mosquito Bite Avoidance
Strict Bite avoidance measures are recommended for all travellers, especially pregnant women. Aedes mosquitoes are particularly persistent and aggressive biters from dawn until dusk.
especially if you are susceptible to insect bites follow C.L.O.A.K:
C – Cover up skin as much as possible with suitable clothing, especially arms and legs. You can also soak clothes with 10-20 drops of Java citronella diluted in water to give them a reasonable repellent quality.
L – Light coloured clothing is strongly advisable to wear as mosquitoes are attracted to dark colours. If walking through the countryside or Jungle, tuck trousers into socks & spray them with insect repellent.
O – Odours, both bodily & otherwise e.g. perfumes & nearly all scented toiletries draw insects to you. Therefore, it is key to wash thoroughly morning and evening with citrus-aromatic products e.g. incognito hair and body wash or luxury citronella soap. Use a loofah every other day to remove dirt from skin pores, especially if you are very attractive to insects e.g. have ever been bitten by an insect in the UK: unlike synthetic mittens and other man-made exfoliators, only a natural loofah has microscopic hairs to remove the dirt.
A – Apply incognito® 100% effective insect repellent spray, roll-on, lotion or suncream repellent on exposed skin. Reapply after 4-5 hours or when necessary.
Mosquitoes target the ears, wrists and ankles because the blood vessels are nearer the surface.
Using Any insect repellent either before or after sunscreen will lower the SPF & could affect the efficacy against insects.
K – Keep mosquitoes out of your dwelling by using our Room Refresher or burning Java citronella; to remove insects from a room, light an incognito® incense stick. Keep away from stagnant water.
The Illness
Most people infected with ZIKV will have only very mild, or no symptoms. Symptoms usually start 3-14 days after the bite of an infected mosquito and last for 2-7 days. They include: rash, itch, mild fever, headache, red eyes, muscle and joint pains. Other less common symptoms include: loss of appetite, diarrhoea, constipation, abdominal pain and dizziness.
Zika Virus
What is Zika
Zika virus infection is transmitted by mosquitoes and in pregnancy may result in severe consequences for the baby: congenital zika syndrome. Even if your not with child Zika can be very serious in some instances
Infection is spread by the bites of Aedes mosquitoes. These mosquitoes predominantly bite during the day, they can also transmit dengue, chikungunya, and yellow fevers, etc.
ZIKV can also be transmitted sexually.
Recommendations for Travellers
There is no medicine or vaccine currently available that prevents ZIKV infection. The only cure is prevention.
Travellers are advised to seek travel advice from a health care provider at least 6-8 weeks in advance of travel, but particularly important if you are pregnant or planning pregnancy.