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Section 2. Recommendations for Care of Children in Special Circumstances
PREVENTION OF MOSQUITOBORNE INFECTIONS
Mosquitoborne infectious diseases in the United States are caused by arboviruses (eg, California, eastern equine, western equine, and St. Louis encephalitis viruses and West Nile virus). International travelers may encounter arboviral or other mosquitoborne infections (eg, malaria) during travel (see also disease-specific chapters in Section 3). Physicians should be aware of the epidemiology of arbovirus infections in their local areas. Prevention involves protection from the bite of an infected mosquito. In areas with arbovirus transmission, protection of children is recommended during outdoor activities, including activities related to school, child care, or camp. Education of families and other caregivers is an important component of prevention. Specific measures include:
Reduce mosquito population. Mosquitoes breed in standing water. Measures to limit mosquito breeding around the home include drainage or removal of receptacles for standing water (old tires, toys, flower pots, cans, buckets, barrels, other containers that collect rain water); keeping swimming pools, decorative pools, children’s wading pools, and bird-baths clean; and cleaning clogged gutters. Under certain circumstances, mosquito control measures may be conducted by public health officials, including drainage of standing water, use of microbial larvicides in waters that are mosquito breeding grounds, and surface spraying to control adult vectors.
Reduce exposure to mosquitoes. Avoiding infested areas, limiting outdoor activities at times of high mosquito activity, such as dawn and dusk,
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