Health dept. urges you to protect yourself from mosquito-related disease

[May 25, 2013]  With the arrival of warmer weather, people will spend more time outdoors in the presence of disease-carrying mosquitoes. In Illinois last year, 290 people were diagnosed with West Nile virus, which is transmitted through the bite of an infected mosquito. West Nile encephalitis, an infection of the brain, is one of the illnesses caused by the virus. Mosquitoes also carry viruses that can transmit other forms of encephalitis, such as La Crosse and St. Louis.

During warm-weather months, it pays to be cautious. By following these steps, you can help prevent the spread of mosquitoes and the risk of being bitten or infected.

• 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 to help prevent bites.

• Apply insect repellent that includes DEET, picaridin or oil of lemon eucalyptus. Contact a physician before using repellents on infants, and always follow the label instructions.

• 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 in good repair.

• Eliminate all sources of standing water that can support mosquito breeding, such as flowerpots, clogged gutters, old tires, unused wading pools and other receptacles. Birdbath 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 that may produce mosquitoes, contact your local municipality or the Logan County Department of Public Health.

If you are simply 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.

Starting June 5, the Logan County Department of Public Health will collect dead birds for laboratory testing to track West Nile virus activity. If you see a bird that has been dead less than 24 hours or appears to have died of natural causes, contact the health department to see if the bird qualifies for free testing.

In addition to collecting birds, the health department will be trapping and testing mosquitoes to detect West Nile virus activity during much of the summer. This is made possible through grant funds from Illinois Department of Public Health.

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.

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Source: Illinois Department of Public Health

[Text from file received from the Logan County Department of Public Health]