Chikungunya fever

July 14th, 2008 at 23:25 · Filed Under Blogging, Health, Malacca, Malaysia, Medical, Muar, Singapore 

My aunt and her husband were talking about some mosquito transmitted fever with joint pains when we visited her yesterday. They told us the epidermic was spreading in Segamat, Tangkak, Sagil and Muar. The epidemic they were talking about was Chikungunya fever. This disease is transmitted by infected Aedes mosquitoes. Today, there are 4 reported cases in Malacca.

The outbreak is caused by raining season. Singapore has reported an outbreak in earlier this year in January. Although it is not as deadly as dengue fever, I will take no chance to allow our kids to expose to the Aedes mosquitoes. No outdoor activities in the evening for a while.

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Comments

5 Responses to “Chikungunya fever”

  1. Allison on July 15th, 2008 0:15

    I was not aware of the epidermic until I read your post.

    To repel the mosquitoes indoor, perhaps you can try putting an open container of Listerine nearby your location or spray it in the room.

    Yes I mean the commercial mouthwash. My brother learned the method from his colleague and I thought it’s a myth. But later I read that one of the active ingredients in Listerine is eucalyptol, a natural organic compound derived from the lemon eucalypus tree. It’s known to be one of the most effective mosquito repellents along with DEET and picaridin.

    Anyway, I’ve yet to try this method myself. I heard from my brother that it’s effective.

  2. Adrian Hoe on July 15th, 2008 7:55

    Yes, Listerine contains eucalyptol, a natural mosquitoes repellent. Now I wonder what mosquitoes repellent does in the mouth?

    Thanks for the tips.

  3. Allison on July 15th, 2008 8:54

    You’re welcome.

    Now you’ve made me curious too. Here’s the explanation I found online.

    “Because of the its pleasant spicy aroma and taste, eucalyptol is used in flavorings, fragrances, and cosmetics.” (quoted from Wikipedia)

    I suppose eucalyptol’s main function in Listerine is to freshen the breath?

    Anyway, according to it’s MDSD, eucaplytol is harmful by ingestion (keep away from small children!). And it may be harmful by inhalation or through skin contact. Also, it’s flammable. Well I’m not sure what’s the critical amount to cause so, but the amount of eucalyptol contained in Listerine should be safe.

  4. M on July 16th, 2008 6:28

    Try sleeing under a mosquito net. Any compounds applied to the skin is quickly absorbed into the blood stream and you never know if it is good for the children at such a tender age. I have not look at my bottle but I am sure, Listerine is not advisable for use by young children. Perhaps spay a diluted form of listerine in the room or tea life oil. (I bought a bottle for Angie). Alternatively, keep the room cool.

  5. Adrian Hoe on July 17th, 2008 22:10

    The kids will pull the mosquito net down and shred it. Not a good idea.

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