Biting Realities: Navigating The Mosquito-Borne Illnesses In Afghanistan

Yes, there are mosquitoes in Afghanistan. The risk of mosquito activity in Afghanistan is high, and travellers are advised to take precautions to prevent mosquito bites. This includes wearing long-sleeved shirts and pants when outdoors, using EPA-registered repellents, and eliminating standing water where mosquitoes can breed.

Preventing mosquito bites

Mosquitoes are a common problem when travelling, especially to warmer countries. They can carry dangerous diseases such as malaria, yellow fever, Zika, dengue, chikungunya, and Lyme. Luckily, there are many ways to prevent mosquito bites.

Use insect repellent

Use an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)-registered insect repellent with one of the following active ingredients:

• Picaridin (also known as KBR 3023 and icaridin outside the US)
• Oil of lemon eucalyptus (OLE)
• Para-menthane-diol (PMD)
• DEET (N,N-Diethyl-m-tolumide)

When using insect repellent, apply it to all areas of exposed skin not covered by clothing. Reapply regularly, especially after swimming, washing or sweating. Do not apply repellent to the skin under clothing or on top of sunscreen. Be careful not to breathe in the repellent and avoid getting it on your eyes and mouth.

Wear the right clothing

Mosquitoes bite exposed skin, so cover up with long-sleeved shirts, long trousers, socks, and hats. Clothing should be loose-fitting, as mosquitoes can bite through tight clothing. Light colours are best as mosquitoes tend to be drawn to darker colours.

Use a mosquito net

Use a mosquito net when sleeping outdoors or when screened rooms are not available. Nets treated with insecticides offer more protection than untreated nets.

Reduce mosquito habitats

Mosquitoes breed in standing water, so get rid of any water lying around in things like buckets, flowerpots, and rain gutters. Drain temporary pools of water and keep swimming pool water treated and circulating.

Use appropriate pesticides

Use pesticides to control mosquito larvae and insecticides to control adult mosquitoes.

Use structural barriers

Cover all gaps in walls, doors, and windows to prevent mosquitoes from entering. Use screens on windows and doors and repair any holes.

Types of insect repellent

Insect repellents are available in different types and applications. Here are some of the most common types:

Sprays

Repellents in aerosol cans offer excellent projection and quick, even coverage. However, individuals with asthma or other breathing sensitivities should avoid aerosols. Pump spritz bottles give similar coverage benefits and more control over the application. Most insect sprays provide 2 to 4 hours of protection, while heavy-duty sprays, such as those used for deep woods camping, can last for up to 12 hours.

Lotions

Insect repellent lotions provide thorough, even coverage and efficient use of the repellent ingredients. They also offer the longest-lasting repellent effect—up to 14 hours—which reduces the need to reapply. Unlike sprays, lotions can be applied indoors. However, applications can be messy and take slightly longer.

Wipes

Insect repellent wipes are pre-moistened with liquid insect repellent. The manufacturers generally package the towelettes individually, so they stay moist and can fit into a backpack, purse, or wallet. Wipes are convenient and easy to use but generate far more trash than sprays and lotions and are more expensive per application.

Clothing

Insect repellent clothing provides an alternative to skin applications. These garments are generally treated with the insecticide Permethrin, which kills insects on contact and is effective for a range of bugs, including mosquitoes, ticks, and mites. The CDC recommends clothing treated with Permethrin, which is demonstrated to be safe, provided it is not ingested. Insect repellent clothing offers more convenience compared to types that require one or more applications, depending on the situation. On the other hand, the effects of Permethrin on clothing last for approximately six washes, and the garments must then be retreated.

Airborne Insect Repellents

When you're staying in one general area, such as hanging around your campsite, you can use special dispersal devices to release a chemical that creates a zone of mosquito-free airspace. Protection lasts as long as the device is fuelled up and turned on. This method only works on mosquitoes and won't work if you're moving or in windy conditions.

Mosquito breeding

Mosquitoes have a four-stage life cycle: egg, larva, pupa, and adult. Female mosquitoes require a blood meal to reproduce, while male mosquitoes do not. Female mosquitoes can produce between 50 and 500 eggs in their first brood, with subsequent broods producing fewer eggs. Some species of female mosquitoes lay eggs directly on the water, while others lay eggs in small depressions where water can collect. Mosquitoes prefer to lay their eggs in stagnant water, usually in vegetation or still water. They can, however, use a variety of containers as egg-deposit sites, including puddles on leaves, water in small pools, and even a single water bottle cap filled with water.

Mosquito eggs can survive for many years before hatching, but most hatch within 24 to 72 hours of exposure to water. The eggs hatch into larvae, sometimes referred to as "wrigglers", which feed on algae, bacteria, protozoans, and other organic material. After seven to ten days, the larvae develop into pupae, which do not feed but instead spend most of their time on the surface of the water, taking in air. The pupal stage lasts one to three days before an adult mosquito emerges.

Mosquitoes prefer warmer and more humid climates, and their breeding season has been extended by rising temperatures caused by global warming. Most mosquitoes can survive in temperatures between 50 and 95 degrees Fahrenheit.

To prevent mosquito breeding, it is important to eliminate potential breeding grounds by removing sources of standing water, such as rainwater barrels, empty tires, debris, and containers that can collect water. Adding mosquito fish (gambusia affinis) to ponds or still water can also help control mosquito populations, as a single fish can eat more than 200 mosquito larvae in 60 minutes.

Health risks posed by mosquitoes

Mosquitoes pose a significant health risk, with mosquito-borne diseases causing millions of deaths worldwide each year. Mosquitoes are the most potent bacteria transmitters and are more hazardous than flies. They act as the primary virus carriers and transmitters, causing various serious and fatal diseases. Here are some of the health risks posed by mosquitoes:

Malaria

Malaria is a widespread mosquito-borne disease caused by a parasite called Protozoa. It is transmitted via the infected female Anopheles mosquito's saliva and travels to the liver, where it reproduces. The symptoms of malaria include fatigue, fever, vomiting, headache, and pale skin. In severe cases, it can lead to death. Early diagnosis is crucial for controlling and treating malaria.

Zika Virus

Zika Virus was discovered in the mid-20th century but was considered harmless due to its mild symptoms until 2015 when it reached North America. The symptoms of Zika include fever, headache, rash, conjunctivitis, and joint pain. However, its impact on pregnant women and their babies is severe, as it can cause several congenital disabilities in newborns.

Dengue

The Centre for Disease Control estimates that almost 400 million people are infected with Dengue each year. The disease has two life-threatening versions: Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever, which causes bleeding, blood plasma leakage, and low levels of blood platelets, and Dengue Shock Syndrome, which results in dangerously low blood pressure.

Yellow Fever

Yellow Fever includes symptoms such as skin coloration, fever, chills, loss of appetite, nausea, muscle and joint pain, and headaches. While Yellow Fever is typically a short-term disease, severe cases can lead to abdominal pain, liver, and kidney problems.

West Nile Virus

The West Nile Virus is transmitted predominantly by Culex mosquitoes, which are medium-sized, brown mosquitoes with whitish markings on the abdomen. Most people with the West Nile Virus show no symptoms, although some develop flu-like symptoms. In rare cases, the virus can cause severe illness in the nervous system.

Chikungunya

Chikungunya is another disease transmitted by mosquitoes, causing severe joint pains, headaches, rash, and fever. People with Chikungunya require bed rest and fluids for recovery.

To protect yourself from mosquito bites and the diseases they carry, it is essential to take preventive measures such as using insect repellents, wearing long-sleeved shirts and pants when outdoors, and eliminating standing water, where mosquitoes breed.

Preventing mosquito bites indoors

Mosquitoes are a common problem, especially in warmer countries. They can carry diseases such as malaria, Zika, West Nile, and chikungunya, so it's important to take precautions to avoid being bitten. Here are some tips to prevent mosquito bites indoors:

• Use insect repellents: Choose a repellent that contains 20% or more DEET for protection that lasts several hours. Other effective active ingredients include picaridin (also known as KBR 3023 or icaridin), oil of lemon eucalyptus (OLE), and para-menthane-diol (PMD). Apply repellent to all exposed skin, following the manufacturer's instructions. Reapply regularly, especially after swimming or sweating.
• Cover your skin: Wear long-sleeved shirts, long pants, and socks. Tuck your shirt into your pants and your pants into your socks to cover any gaps. Mosquitoes can't bite through clothing, so loose-fitting garments can help protect you.
• Use mosquito nets: If you're sleeping or resting, use a mosquito net to create a barrier that prevents mosquitoes from reaching your skin. Nets treated with insecticides are even more effective.
• Use fans: A breeze of any kind makes it difficult for mosquitoes to fly, so use plug-in fans or open windows to create a breeze.
• Avoid scented products: Mosquitoes are attracted to perfumes, colognes, and scented lotions, so avoid using these products if you want to reduce your attractiveness to mosquitoes.
• Use air conditioning: Mosquitoes are less likely to enter rooms with proper air conditioning. Keep windows and doors closed for the air conditioning to work effectively.
• Use screens: Ensure that windows and doors have screens to keep mosquitoes out while letting in a breeze. Regularly check screens for holes and keep them closed at all times.
• Use yellow "bug" lights: Replace your outdoor lights with yellow "bug" lights, which attract fewer mosquitoes than ordinary lights.
• Eliminate standing water: Mosquitoes lay their eggs in water, so remove any standing water on your property, such as in flowerpots, buckets, or rain gutters.

Frequently asked questions