Medicosnext
Dipika Shrestha
She is a Microbiology graduate, currently working in Research and Development at Sakal BioEnzyme. With a strong foundation in academic writing, research, and project management, her experience spans various research projects where she gained her expertise in scientific writing and organizational skills. Through research and innovation, she is passionate about contributing to global healthcare and leveraging her skills to drive impactful results in building a sustainable community.
The onset of the monsoon season brings forth a period of rejuvenation, marked by clean air and a vibrant atmosphere around the city. However, it also brings an unwelcome guest: mosquitoes. Water sources, such as ponds, marshes, and freshwater containers, attract various species of mosquitoes, providing them with ideal breeding grounds. Besides being nuisance pests in daily life, mosquitoes remain the world’s leading vectors of diseases that affect both humans and animals. These potential vectors transmit pathogens and cause various diseases, including malaria, dengue, encephalitis, and yellow fever.
The most widespread mosquito-borne viral disease, Dengue, is affecting humans globally, with an estimated 50 million infections occurring annually in tropical and subtropical regions. According to the World Health Organization, approximately half of the global population is currently at risk of dengue, with an estimated 100 to 400 million infections occurring annually. The highest number of cases was reported in 2023, affecting over 80 countries . Similarly, Nepal reported its worst Dengue outbreak in 2022, with cases recorded in all 77 districts. Dengue is a growing public health concern, largely due to factors such as climate change, unmanaged urbanization, population growth, and a busy transportation system.
What spreads Dengue?
When you look around your surroundings in the humid weather during monsoon, you’ll find mosquitoes producing a distinctive whining sound. However, not all types of mosquitoes cause Dengue fever. Female Aedes aegyptii mosquitoes transmit the dengue virus to a healthy human after feeding on an infected human. The course of transmission normally occurs 2 days before the onset of the symptoms of the illness. There are four serotypes of dengue virus, all of which are transmitted through mosquito bites.
How can we prevent Dengue?
The first case of Dengue was reported in 2004 in Nepal. Since then, cases of the disease have been observed every year, making it one of the most prevalent insect-borne diseases in the country. With the cases of infections rising annually around the globe, awareness regarding their transmission and measures to prevent their transmission has been one of the major prevention and control strategies worldwide.
How do you protect yourself from mosquito bites during the monsoon?
The measures include destroying their breeding habitat, proper waste disposal, cleaning stagnant water storage, wearing full-sleeved clothes, mosquito nets, and coils, etc . Most people turn to a variety of strategies for mosquito bite prevention—some simple, others more elaborate. These include wearing full-sleeved clothing, using mosquito nets while sleeping, installing window screens, and applying topical creams or sprays. Lately many rely on electric mosquito bats, coils, vaporizers, or plug-in repellents to keep their surroundings bug-free. In outdoor settings, smoke from dried herbs or neem leaves is still used in some communities. While these methods offer varying degrees of protection, one increasingly popular option is the use of natural repellents. Derived from plant-based ingredients, these repellents not only guard against bites but also minimize exposure to harmful chemicals—making them a safer and eco-friendlier choice. Natural repellents are considered to be the most effective control measures for personal protection that prevent the bites of mosquitoes. There are various repellents available on the market that are either synthetically prepared using chemicals or naturally derived from plants. Chemical repellents like DEET have been used since the mid-20th century with proven efficacy against mosquitoes; however, their toxic effects towards human health and the environment have led to many consumers looking for a healthy alternative and switching to natural repellents.
Natural Repellents: An Eco-friendly Alternative
The traditional use of plant-based natural repellents has been observed in many parts of the world demonstrating strong repellent effects against insect bites. Essential oils, extracted from the leaves and woody parts of plants like Eucalyptus, Citronella, Cinnamon, etc, are considered to work effectively to prevent the bites of mosquitoes. These natural oils, made with a mixture of herbs, possess antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial properties, causing no harm to the skin and health, providing the best protection needed to fight mosquitoes and prevent Dengue.
If you are looking for an eco-friendly alternative to survive this monsoon season in Nepal with no mosquitoes around you, Sakal BioEnzyme has got you covered. Sakal BioEnzyme introduces a Natural Mosquito Repellent, providing you with extra protection, whether you love to stay at home or travel all around. Made with Citronella, Clove, and Lemongrass, its composition is 100% chemical-free, eco-friendly, and does not irritate your skin.
Let nature protect your family – one spray at a time!
