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By Melissa Tennen, HealthAtoZ writer
Mosquitoes aren't just nuisances. They can deliver a lethal viral disease called West Nile.
With some reasonable precautions against mosquito bites, however, you can reduce your risk considerably.
"West Nile is here to stay," says Mike Bunning, D.V.M., M.P.H., an epidemiologist with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). "In the U.S., state and federal agencies assist us in different health matters. We have systems in place to monitor everything from the farm to fork to make sure everything is safe and healthy."
"But with West Nile, we play a much bigger role in our own protection," he says.
West Nile virus infection has become a seasonal disease in the United States. The risk for catching the disease is extremely low. Fewer than 1 percent of people bitten by infected mosquitoes develop symptoms of the disease and relatively few mosquitoes carry the disease, the CDC says.
But don't let your guard down. Your risk increases if you spend a significant amount of time outdoors. Also, if you are older than 50, you are more likely to develop serious symptoms. Since a vaccine is not expected for several years, your goal should be to reduce your chances of getting bitten.
Here are seven easy steps from the CDC:
- Avoid mosquito bites by avoiding mosquitoes! Many mosquitoes bite between dusk and dawn. Limit time outdoors during these hours, or be especially sure to use repellents and protective clothing.
- Spray! Many brand name insect repellents are available. The New England Journal of Medicine published a study comparing the effectiveness of several insect repellents against mosquitoes. Products containing DEET (N, N-diethyl-m-toluamide) at a concentration of 25 percent to 50 percent worked the best. Spray it on exposed skin and clothing. Products with a higher percentage of DEET (up to 50 percent) give longer protection. But don't spray repellent on skin under clothing and don't use permethrin on skin. Permethrin impregnated clothing is now available from mail order sporting goods stores. Products containing DEET are safe for adults and children. The CDC says no definitive studies exist about what concentration of DEET is safe for children. No serious illness has been linked to the use of DEET in children when used according the product recommendations. The American Academy of Pediatrics and other groups say you can apply repellent with low concentrations of DEET (10 percent) to infants older than 2 months. Other guidelines suggest you start using DEET repellents on children older than 2 years. But don't put DEET on kid's hands because it may get into their mouth or eyes. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control revised its mosquito repellent recommendations to include Picaridin (Cutter Advanced) in their list of products which are effective in preventing against transmission of West Nile Virus. This product is odorless and less irritating than DEET containing products.
- Cover up! Wear long sleeve shirts. Long pants and socks sprayed with repellent while outdoors can further help prevent mosquito bites.
- Use screens on your windows and doors.
- Drain standing water. Don't give mosquitoes a place to breed. A small amount of standing water can be enough for a mosquito to lay eggs.
- Look around every week for possible mosquito breeding places. Empty water from buckets, cans, pool covers, flowerpots and other items. Throw away or cover up stored tires and other items that aren't being used. Clean pet water bowls weekly. Check if rain gutters are clogged. If you store water outside or have a well, make sure it's covered. Encourage your neighbors to do the same.
- Help your community! Dead birds help health departments track West Nile. Report any dead birds to your local or state health department. But don't touch the bird with your bare hands.
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This article was reviewed and updated June 2007.
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