In Reply to: dengue fever posted by rosie on Monday, 24. March 2008 at 13:12 Bali Time:
Choice Magazine reported that DEET & the new Picaridin-based products are FAR more effective than natural products. By all means use lavender oil, B-Vitamins etc AND use a product with a synthetic (DEET or Picaridin - available in Oz under the Austan repel label).
There is less chance of contracting mosquito-borne diseases out of the wet-season, yet precautions should still be taken. I avoid Bali during the wet, not only because of the humidity & the inconvenience of the at times heavy rain but also because of the heightened risk of both mosquito & water-borne infections.