Just a quick warning for anyone planning on traveling to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia in the next few weeks. Dengue fever cases in Kuala Lumpur have increased quite markedly in the last couple of months, with officials blaming a change in the weather. There are currently around 400 new cases of dengue fever being reported in Kuala Lumpur every week so, if you do plan on being there here is what you’ll need to do.
Dengue fever, of course, is spread by mosquitoes when they bite you in an attempt to draw blood. The only way to avoid them is to not eat outside at night (most mosquito bites happen in evening hours although you can also be bitten during the day), wear long-sleeved clothing and pants or jeans, and spray mosquito repellent on your body.
I’ve travelled to Kuala Lumpur many times and always wear long-sleeve clothing and mosquito repellent. I’ve never once been bitten by a mosquito so, at least for me, it’s worked just fine.
Do be sure to also check the above photograph, so you’ll know if you are bitten by a mosquito and believe you may have symptoms of dengue fever.