Malaria season: what actually works

Malaria advice is everywhere, and not all of it is equally useful. Here's a clear-eyed look at what genuinely reduces your risk, and a few common habits that offer far less protection than people assume.

What works

• Sleeping under a treated mosquito net, every night — not just during the rainy season. The mosquitoes that spread malaria are most active between dusk and dawn, so a net over your bed is one of the single most effective habits available.
• Repellent on exposed skin in the evening — particularly if you're sitting outside after sunset.
• Screening windows and doors — simple mesh screens keep mosquitoes from entering the house in the first place.
• Clearing stagnant water around the home — old tyres, blocked gutters and open containers are common mosquito breeding sites within a short flight of where you sleep.
• Testing promptly at the first sign of fever — a rapid test can confirm or rule out malaria within minutes, which matters because early treatment prevents the more serious complications malaria can cause.

What offers far less protection than people think

• Burning candles or incense alone — these can reduce mosquito activity slightly in a small area but are far less reliable than a net or screened room.
• Assuming a fan keeps mosquitoes away — it helps a little at close range, but shouldn't replace a net.
• Waiting out a fever "to see if it passes" — malaria fever can look identical to other common illnesses in its first day, which is exactly why testing (not guessing) is the safer route.

A note for pregnant women and young children

Both groups are at higher risk of severe complications from malaria, which makes prevention — nets, screening, and prompt testing at the first sign of fever — especially important. If you're pregnant, this is also a routine part of what we check at every antenatal visit.