As mosquitoes are most active at sunset, it makes sense to cover the skin with appropriate clothing, such as long sleeved shirts or blouses that close at the wrist, long trousers or skirts, socks or stockings and shoes. Apply insect repellants to any exposed skin. During the night, use a mosquito coil or electric mosquito repellant as well as a mosquito net. You can soak or spray the nets with a safe mosquito repellant as well. Visitors should also consider taking anti-malarial medication.
Medical advice is essential to find out which drugs are currently effective.
A course of medication usual begins before entering to the malarial area and ends some time after. Prophylaxis, however, is not a guarantee of safety. Anyone entering a malarial area should consult a doctor if they develop symptoms of a mild cold or influenza within seven days of entering an area, or within three months of leaving one. A blood test is the only way to accurately diagnose malaria, and may be negative the first time. If the blood test does yield negative results, take a second test after two or three days to confirm the results.