The Logan County Department of
Public Health urges you to “Fight The Bite”
Send a link to a friend
[May 27, 2017]
With
the onset of warmer weather, mosquitoes are now becoming more
active. This increased activity means that people are at risk for
becoming infected with West Nile Virus (WNV). West Nile encephalitis
is an infection of the brain caused by the WNV which is transmitted
through the bite of an infected mosquito.
In addition to WNV, mosquitoes also carry the virus capable of
transmitting other forms of encephalitis such as Lacrosse and St.
Louis. To reduce the risks of becoming infected by mosquitoes, it
pays to “fight the bite” by taking the following precautions:
-
Avoid the outdoors when mosquitoes are most active, especially
between dusk and dawn.
-
When outdoors, wear shoes, socks, long pants and a long-sleeved
shirt. Mosquitoes are attracted to dark colors so light-colored
clothing is preferred.
-
Apply insect repellent which includes DEET, picaridin or oil of
lemon eucalyptus. Contact a physician before using repellents on
infants and always follow the label instructions.
![](http://archives.lincolndailynews.com/2017/May/27/images/ads/current/pestcontrol_bch_termites.png)
-
Eliminate ways for mosquitoes to gain entry into your home. Be
sure screens that protect doors and windows are tight-fitting,
free of tears and are in good repair.
-
Eliminate all sources of standing water that can support
mosquito breeding such as flower pots, clogged gutters, old
tires, unused wading pools and other receptacles. Bird bath
water should be replaced weekly.
-
To
report public tire dump sites, abandoned pools, areas of
standing water in roadside ditches, flooded yards or similar
conditions which may produce mosquitoes, you can contact your
local municipality or the Logan County Department of Public
Health.
[to top of second column] |
![](../images/ads/current/pacesetter_lda_041116.png)
If you are bitten by a mosquito, there is no reason to be tested
for WNV since illnesses related to mosquito bites are rare. However, if you
develop symptoms such as high fever, confusion, muscle weakness or severe
headaches, you should see your doctor.
![](http://archives.lincolndailynews.com/2017/May/27/images/ads/current/lincolntheatre_sda_031016.png)
Due to the lack of a State budget, the Logan County Department of Public Health
(LCDPH) currently does not have the grant funding from the Illinois Department
of Public Health to finance the collecting and shipment of dead birds for
laboratory testing. If funding becomes available, the public will be notified.
Despite the overall lack of funds for the mosquito prevention program, the LCDPH
will make efforts to conduct activities for trapping and testing of mosquitoes
throughout Logan County to detect WNV activity during much of the summer.
If you have questions regarding prevention of mosquito-related diseases and
would like more information, you can contact the Logan County Department of
Public Health at 217-735-2317 or visit the environmental health page on their
website at WWW.LCDPH.ORG.
*Information Source: IL Dept. of Public Health
[Don Cavi, MS, LEHP
Public Health Administrator
Logan County Department of Public Health]
![](http://archives.lincolndailynews.com/2016/Aug/26/images/ads/current/humanesociety_sda022411.png) |