June has arrived in Cozumel and that means rain.  One side effect of the rain, is a dramatic increase in the mosquito population.  In April, Municipal authorities conducted street cleaning campaigns to rid Cozumel’s five colonias of over 130 tons of garbage,  in an effort to remove standing water, where mosquitoes breed.  Mosquitoes have been known to carry diseases such as the Dengue Virus.  Traditionally, Cozumel authorities have conducted a spraying fumigation campaign, however it’s important to take additional measures not only to protect your health but to avoid red, itchy bumps often associated with mosquito bites.

Choose insect repellent in either natural or DEET formulas, which is suitable for adults and children.  Current recommendations for those choosing DEET is to select 30-50% DEET formula.  Another good option is to spray your clothing before dressing.  Natural mosquito repellants can contain citronella, lemon eucalyptus, or even cinnamon.  There are a wide variety of products and recipes on-line.   For more information on how to choose a effective repellant check out this page.  It’s also important to remember that, just like sunscreen, repellant needs to be reapplied every 2 hours.

It’s also important to take a spin through your neighborhood and remove any thing that can catch water.  Standing water is a great breeding area for the “Aides Aegypti” mosquito that carries the Dengue virus.  Pay particular attention to the peak biting times:  several hours after daybreak and late afternoon.   For more information to further protect yourself, check out some of these ideas.

In late April and early May in preparation for the rainy season, Dr. Chey, an island family practitioner well versed in the Dengue virus was kind enough to allow us to re-print his 4 part series entitled “The ABCDs of Dengue” you can find the articles here.  https://cozumel4you.com/tag/dengue/

This story originally appeared in the weekly Cozumel 4 You NEWS – the island’s number one source of positive information about our island!  Be sure and subscribe to the weekly NEWS to find out all the island events!…

Laura Wilkinson
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