FLAVIVIRUS: PREVENTION

  • The spread of mosquito-borne flaviviruses can be prevented by requiring vaccination (within 10 years) of all individuals traveling into or out of flavivirus endemic regions. Insect quarantines and strict airport controls should also be implemented to prevent the introduction of infectious arthropods into new areas. In endemic regions, pesticides and insect repellents (DEET) should be utilized and stagnant pools of water drained to reduce the population of mosquitoes in the vicinity of towns. Since the development of pesticide resistance, it has become even more difficult to kill the mosquitoes.
  • Ticks persist throughout the year and live through more than a single breeding cycle of their host. Thus they are more difficult to control than mosquitoes. Little can be done to reduce the size of tick populations, and so humans protect themselves through vaccination and avoidance of milk from infected animals.
  • Hepatitis C infection can be prevented by screening the blood supply since individuals can contract HCV from transfusions. By reducing the number of IV drug users and encouraging safer sex practices, the incidence of HCV can also be reduced.