[Protection of travellers against biting arthropod vectors]

Several diseases are transmitted by hematophageous insect/arthropod and, except for yellow fever and Japanese B encephalitis, there are still no vaccines. Personal protection therefore remains the choice method for disease prevention and can usefully complete chemoprophylaxis if available (such as for malaria). Personal protection can be ensured by three main methods: avoiding risky areas; using repellents on skin and/or garments; using pyrethroids insecticide on garments (permethrin), mosquito nets (several Pyr. available) and any other materials (curtains etc.) including camping tents, plasting "UN sheeting" used in refugees camps etc. Repellent gave some protection for few hours (# 6 hours) and new formulations have been developed to extend their duration. Great care must be taken when using DEET which is not recommended for children and pregnant women. Coils and mats can be used but care must also be taken when using some coils available on local market and which can often be irritating and useless. Mosquito nets impregnated with an insecticide remains the choice method of protection against night-biting insects such as anopheles and is a good way of preventing malaria. Insecticide must be used according to safety measures clearly indicated (or which must be clearly indicated) by companies. All these measures are efficient and must be selected according to local conditions and human behaviour. Travelling is not "risky" but 3 points must be kept in mind: accurate advice must be sought before travelling; this advice must be followed while persuing a "normal life"; a physician must be consulted in case of any trouble during and after the trip.