QUESTION

What precautions can be taken to prevent malaria?

ANSWER

This is a common question.  Communities can try to control or eliminate mosquitoes (who when infected with the malaria parasite can bite humans and transmit the disease) by spraying with insecticide, using biological agents, or draining mosquito breeding areas.  These methods are called vector control. On a personal level, people can prevent being bitten by infected mosquitoes by screening their rooms, sleeping under long acting insecticide bednets, wearing protective clothing and using insect repellent. See: Malaria Prevention and Control for more information.