12/21/2025
Think mosquito repellent is your travel shield?
It helps. But it has blind spots.
Most travelers miss spots, forget to reapply, or quit because it smells like regret. One exposed patch is all a mosquito needs to transmit diseases like Japanese Encephalitis. That’s the uncomfortable truth.
Repellent works best as part of a system, not a solo act.
Vaccination where recommended.
Long sleeves and treated clothing, especially at dawn and dusk.
Bed nets in rural or outdoor stays.
Zero standing water near where you sleep.
Climate change plus global travel means mosquito-borne diseases are showing up in places they never used to. This isn’t fear. It’s math.
If you’re heading to Asia or the Pacific, JE is worth learning about before you pack.