Illustration Oscar Tagliaferro An unusual situation …………. hopefully nothing will happen Degracia. For now I recall the importance of protection against mosquitoes, to see the final extract TRAVELER’S GUIDE TO HEALTH. VENEZUELA 2010. Health, Alexander A ProMED-mail Date: October 12, 2009 Source: El Mundo, Spain Edited by J. Torres Health services in Torrevieja (Alicante) has treated about 300 people through mosquito bites in the past three days, 18 of which were assisted at the hospital in this town, local health officials have reported. In fact, three cases were diagnosed as “very serious” because the victims had fever, hypotension, urticaria and edema, five others had pain and swelling in areas of the stings and two people had skin infections. Since last Friday, the emergency services the towns of Torrevieja, Guardamar del Segura and San Miguel de Salinas have responded to “a massive demand for patients’ affected with mosquito bites. The alarm went off last Friday at the Continuous Care (PAC) from La Loma, in Torrevieja, when there were 70 cases of patients with significant reactions to mosquito bites. The peak demand in this center was in the day Saturday with more than 120 cases, while Sunday attendance dropped to 76. The optional Antonia Quiles, who has served for this weekend to many of the cases in the PAC of La Loma, has argued that the characteristics of the reaction produced by these stings have been “rare, very aggressive and caused a unprecedented demand for assistance in these cases. ” For his part, Director of Primary Health Area of Torrevieja, Hip lito Caro, has explained that, despite the alarm that has created this situation, treatment of these bites is “simple”, with antihistamines and corticosteroids. Those sources have suggested that both in the hospital and in the CAP, despite the high demand for care, the service has been developed “without waiting or incidents.” PREVENTING BITES MOSQUITOES: Eliminate mosquito breeding sites and treat them with larvicide or hydrocarbons. Eliminate standing water in lawns, packaging tape or reservoirs. Frequently change daily or Interdiario, woodcutters and water plants. Wear long pants and long sleeve shirts, is basic prevention. Use insect repellents on exposed skin areas and rep ngalos periodically. Stay in the rooms of late afternoon and early morning in areas with many mosquitoes. Sleep preferably in air conditioned rooms cold, mosquitoes tend to bite in temperatures exceeding 22 degrees, or use fans to make it difficult for the flight (ghosts). Use screens and fine mesh nets in both hammocks as beds when in camps and outdoors. Many people from consuming vitamin B6 (pyridoxine), the least one week before going to the site, feel a decreased concern the number of bites, however, no evidence sound science. Tips for proper use of repellents: Read and follow label directions for repellent and use only those with permission from the health authority. Apply repellent sparingly and well distributed in the exposed skin. Avoid products that contain more than 30 of “permethrin” or DEET on adults and more than 10 in children for risk of toxicity. Use of aerosols in open spaces to avoid inhalation the chemical. Josyann Abisaab Do not apply repellent directly on the face of the risk of irritation of eyes and mouth anddo not apply repellent to the hands of children. Spray clothing with repellents that contain “permethrin” or DEET since mosquitoes may bite through clothing thin cloth. Do not apply repellent on irritated, cut or wounds.