Pet water bowls can also be a source of dengue fever; find out how to prevent

To prevent the proliferation of Aedes aegypti, the mosquito that transmits dengue fever, some precautions are already widespread: avoid standing water in tires, pots and gutters, keep water tanks clean and swimming pools with up-to-date maintenance. However, other measures are also essential, especially among those who have pets at home: keeping their water bowls always sanitized.

According to João Prats, an infectious disease specialist at BP (Beneficência Portuguesa) in São Paulo, the Dog and cat water bowls can also be breeding grounds for the dengue mosquito . “It’s not common, but it is possible, especially in those pots that are left outdoors for long periods,” he says.

On the other hand, the specialist explains that it is more difficult for water pots to be dengue outbreaks if they are cleaned properly daily . To achieve this, the infectious disease specialist cites some tips:

• Clean the pot daily with soap and water;
• Use sponges to remove all residue from the pot;
• Store them indoors and upside down when not in use or when it is raining (in the case of pots that are outdoors).

“It is very difficult for pots to become a source of dengue fever, but it can happen. Therefore, it is important to clean them every day, every time they are used”, highlights João.

Other important home care to prevent dengue

In addition to keeping your pets' water bowls sanitized, it is essential to have a care routine to prevent dengue from spreading indoors. “The biggest concern is stagnant water, especially when it comes into contact with organic matter, such as a small plate in a vase or a wall that can accumulate water”, says the infectious disease specialist.

“In these cases, it is possible to apply a few drops of hypochlorite to treat the water present in plant pots and clean them every day, removing this organic matter”, he adds. The same goes for other sources of standing water, such as tires, gutters and water tanks, which must be covered and clean.

The swimming pool can also be a source of dengue fever, especially when there is not adequate maintenance. “Ideally, it should be cleaned once a week and contain chlorine, as the product works very well in cleaning the water”, adds João. If possible, it is also a good idea to cover the pool while it is not in use.

Repellents are also effective in preventing dengue mosquito bites. For this, the best ones are those based on Icaridin and DEET. The dengue vaccine is another effective measure to prevent infection.