West Nile Virus: Reducing Your Risk
Although very few mosquitoes are infected with West Nile
virus, the best protection against the disease is to reduce the risk of
mosquito bites. To minimize your exposure to mosquitoes, you can take
some personal protective measures as well as making some changes around
your home to reduce mosquito breeding habitat.
Some tips to protect yourself include:
- Use effective mosquito repellant and apply according to the label
instructions. For more information see the Centers
for Disease Control West Nile Virus prevention site.
- Wear long-sleeved shirts, long pants, socks, and shoes.
- Mosquitoes may bite through thin clothing, so spraying clothes
with a repellent containing permethrin or DEET will give extra
protection. These repellants are the most effective and most
studied.
- Avoid being outside during times of high mosquito activity,
specifically around dawn and dusk.
- Keep window screens repaired so that mosquitoes cannot enter your
home.
- Dispose of discarded tires, cans, or plastic containers left
outside that may contain standing water.
- Drain standing water from pool or hot tub covers.
- Turn over plastic wading pools and wheel barrows when not in use.
- Change the water in bird baths, pet dishes and wading pools every
3-4 days.
- Keep drains, ditches and culverts clean of trash and weeds so
water will drain properly.
- Clean gutters to ensure they drain properly.
Contact your
Local Public Health Department if you have concerns about potential
mosquito breeding habitats in your community.
Call the toll-free West Nile Virus hotline for
reporting
sick or dead blue jays, crows and ravens:
800-433-1610
Additional
Resources:
Last Revised: April 02, 2008
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