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Malaria is endemic in more than one hundred countries throughout the tropics
and in some temperate regions.
In 2011, malaria accounted for 216 million illnesses
and an estimated 655 thousand deaths worldwide.
Many diseases like malaria are spread through insect bites.
Preventing mosquito bites is one of the best ways to prevent malaria.
At present, no vaccine against malaria is available.
Malaria is a serious disease that occurs when an infected Anopheles mosquito
bites a person and injects malaria parasites into the blood.
If you're going to a location where malaria is present,
it's very important to take appropriate personal protective measures.
Upon arrival, assess your hotel room and its condition.
As you enter the room, check the windows.
Ensure that the windows are shut or properly screened.
If screened, ensure the screen is intact without holes.
Next, check the door to make sure the doors close and lock properly
and that there are no entry points for mosquitoes to access your room.
Assess the room for mosquitoes.
If mosquitoes are found, use an approved insecticide labeled for indoor flying insects.
Read the label carefully and follow the label instructions before use.
Proceed to spray all the mosquitoes in their resting areas.
Keep the insecticide on hand if additional spraying is needed.
If a hotel-provided bed net is available, inspect it for holes, rips and tears
and ensure that it properly fits over the bed.
If the bed that is compromised use your own pre-treated bed net.
Use your other malaria preventative measures such as:
application of DEET on exposed skin,
permethrin-treated clothing or uniform,
and strict adherence to prescribed anti-malaria medication.
Because of nocturnal feeding habits of Anopheles mosquitoes,
malaria transmission occurs primarily between dusk and dawn.
If mission permits, stay indoors when dark outside
preferably in a screened or air-conditioned room.
Remember,
the key to malaria prevention is to avoid mosquito bites.