Persons at greatest risk are those visiting or working at game parks or preserves. This includes tourists, hunters and game wardens.
Steps to prevent tsetse fly bites:
(1) Wear protective clothing made of heavy cloth that extends to the wrists and ankles (long sleeve). The fly is capable of biting through light cloth.
(2) Avoid bright and/or dark clothing, as this attracts the flies. Wear olive or khaki colored clothing.
(3) Inspect vehicles for tsetse flies before entering.
(4) Avoid open seating in vehicles (jeeps, back of pickup trucks, open tour buses). The tsetse fly is attracted to dust from moving animals or vehicles.
(5) Avoid walking in bushes. The tsetse fly rests on bushes during the hottest part of the day and may bite if disturbed.
Other recommended steps:
(1) Use bednets when sleeping.
(2) Use insect repellants. Insect repellants have not proven effective in preventing tsetse fly bites but help reduce mosquito and other insect bites.
(3) Avoid getting close to wild or domestic animals in areas of endemicity.
