[Malaria prevention without drugs]

One can prevent malaria without antimalaria drug by avoiding insect bites through physical and chemical means. Because of the growing problems with the drugs used for malaria prophylaxis such as resistance and side effects, prevention without drugs is becoming increasingly important again. Repellents are substances applied to the skin which effectively prevent mosquitoes from biting. The most efficient and best documented repellents are diethyl-m-toluamide (DEET) and dimethylphthalate (DMP). Insecticides have a direct toxic effect on the nervous system of the arthropods. Nowadays, mainly synthetic pyrethroids are used because they produce less ecological problems. Such pyrethroids are supplied in form of sprays, vaporizing mats, mosquito coils or in combination with physical means such as bed nets. Although completely ineffective against mosquitoes, systemic vitamin B1, acoustic devices and so-called electrocuting light traps are still sold and used. Travellers must be made aware that they will not get malaria if they can avoid being bitten by mosquitoes.