Don’t let the bugs bite! A review of insect repellents

Abstract

Venturing into nature provides adventure and excitement, but may also result in exposure to danger in the form of biting insects. Mosquitoes can transmit diseases such as malaria, dengue, chikungunya and yellow fever. Ticks can cause tick bite fever, and tsetse flies African sleeping sickness. Although antimalarial drugs and vaccinations are available to prevent some of these diseases, it is important to avoid being bitten when travelling to high-risk areas.