Malaria risk in Lagos

Malaria is a serious illness caused by parasites that enter your body through mosquito bites. It causes fever, chills, body aches, and can become life-threatening without treatment. The Anopheles mosquito that spreads it breeds in standing water and bites mainly from dusk to dawn. Lagos presents specific risks. The city has extensive areas of stagnant water in drains, gutters, construction sites, and uncovered containers. Heavy rainfall creates temporary pools where mosquitoes breed rapidly. Many neighborhoods lack proper waste management, leaving discarded tires and plastic waste that collect water. Poor drainage systems mean water sits for days. Crowded living conditions in some areas make it easier for mosquitoes to find people to bite. High humidity and warm temperatures year-round allow mosquitoes to thrive without a true off-season. Here are practical steps to protect yourself. Sleep under insecticide-treated mosquito nets every night, including during daytime naps. Check nets for holes and tuck them tightly under your mattress. Apply mosquito repellent containing DEET, picaridin, or oil of lemon eucalyptus to exposed skin from late afternoon onward. Reapply after sweating or swimming. Eliminate standing water around your home. Empty buckets, flower pot saucers, old tires, and blocked gutters weekly. Cover water storage containers tightly. Wear long sleeves and trousers during evening hours, especially if you are outdoors near bushes or open drains. Use indoor insecticide sprays or mosquito coils in sleeping areas. Consider installing window and door screens if your building allows it. If you develop fever, headache, or body aches, seek medical testing immediately. Do not self-treat without a confirmed diagnosis. Early treatment prevents complications.