Which prevention measure is recommended for dengue fever?

• A. Vaccination is 100% effective
• B. Only bed nets
• C. Permethrin on clothes, DEET on body
• D. Avoiding dairy products

Answer: (C)

Preventing dengue hinges on stopping mosquito bites, since the virus is spread by day-biting Aedes mosquitoes. The best protection combines strategies for both skin and clothing: applying a repellent to the skin (such as DEET) to keep mosquitoes away, and treating clothing with permethrin to create a protective barrier that repels or kills mosquitoes that contact the fabric. This dual approach is important because Aedes bites can occur indoors and during daylight hours, so relying on bed nets alone isn’t sufficient. Vaccination isn’t 100% protective and is not the sole preventive measure, and avoiding dairy has no role in dengue prevention. Hence, using permethrin on clothes and DEET on the skin offers the most comprehensive protection.