FLAVIVIRUS:
PREVENTION
The spread of mosquito-borne flaviviruses can be prevented by
requiring vaccination (within 10 years) of all individuals
traveling into or out of flavivirus endemic regions. Insect quarantines
and strict airport controls should also be implemented to prevent the
introduction of infectious arthropods into new areas. In endemic regions,
pesticides and insect repellents (DEET) should be utilized and stagnant
pools of water drained to
reduce the population of mosquitoes in the vicinity of towns. Since the
development of pesticide resistance, it has become even more difficult to
kill the mosquitoes.
Ticks persist throughout the year and live through more than a
single breeding cycle of their host. Thus they are more difficult to
control than mosquitoes. Little can be done to reduce the size of tick
populations, and so humans protect themselves through vaccination and
avoidance of milk from infected animals.
Hepatitis C infection can be prevented by screening the blood supply
since individuals can contract HCV from transfusions. By reducing the
number of IV drug users and encouraging safer sex practices, the incidence
of HCV can also be reduced.