Prevention is the best bet. Travelers should be advised to use insecticides to get rid of mosquitoes in these areas and to select accommodations with well-screened windows or air conditioning when possible. Additionally, travelers should take measures to avoid being bitten by mosquitoes during the daytime. Children at least 3 months of age can use a repellant containing not more than 30% DEET. Younger infants should have permethrin-treated nets placed over carriers. Everyone can benefit from permethrin-treated clothing, as well as from eliminating or avoiding standing water.
Currently, there is no licensed vaccine available. However, Sanofi Pasteur has a tetravalent vaccine in phase III clinical trials.
Dr. Word is a pediatric infectious disease specialist and director of the Houston Travel Medicine Clinic. She said she had no relevant financial disclosures. Write to Dr. Word at pdnews@elsevier.com.
This column, "ID Consult," appears regularly in Pediatric News, a publication of Elsevier.
Dr. Bonnie M. Word