Fight the Bite! Avoid Mosquito Bites to Avoid Infection

Presentation Goals By following the steps outline in this presentation, you will be able to: By following the steps outline in this presentation, you will be able to: avoid bites and illness;avoid bites and illness; clean out the mosquitoes from the places where you work and play;clean out the mosquitoes from the places where you work and play; help your community control the disease.help your community control the disease.

Something To Remember The chance that any one person is going to become ill from a mosquito bite remains low. Most people who are infected with the virus will not develop any symptoms at all. The risk of severe illness and death is highest for people over 50 years old. The chance that any one person is going to become ill from a mosquito bite remains low. Most people who are infected with the virus will not develop any symptoms at all. The risk of severe illness and death is highest for people over 50 years old.

Avoid Mosquito Bites Apply Insect Repellent Containing DEET Apply Insect Repellent Containing DEET Clothing Can Help Reduce Mosquito Bites Clothing Can Help Reduce Mosquito Bites Be Aware of Peak Mosquito Hours Be Aware of Peak Mosquito Hours

Apply Insect Repellent Containing DEET (N,N-diethyl-meta-toluamide ) Apply to exposed skin Apply to exposed skin Use even when outdoors for a short time Use even when outdoors for a short time CDC Insect Repellant and Safety Questions and Answers CDC Insect Repellant and Safety Questions and AnswersInsect Repellant and Safety Questions and AnswersInsect Repellant and Safety Questions and Answers EPA Using Insect Repellant Safely EPA Using Insect Repellant SafelyUsing Insect Repellant SafelyUsing Insect Repellant Safely

Clothing Can Help Reduce Mosquito Bites Wear long pants, long sleeves, and socks Wear long pants, long sleeves, and socks Spray clothes with repellant containing permethin or DEET for extra protection. Spray clothes with repellant containing permethin or DEET for extra protection. Do not spray repellants containing permethin directly to skin. Do not spray repellants containing permethin directly to skin. Do not spray repellants containing DEET on the skin under your clothing. Do not spray repellants containing DEET on the skin under your clothing.

Be Aware of Peak Mosquito Hours Hours from dusk to dawn Hours from dusk to dawn Take extra care to use repellant and protective clothing Take extra care to use repellant and protective clothing Consider avoiding outdoor activities Consider avoiding outdoor activities

Mosquito Proof Your Home Drain Standing Water Drain Standing Water Install or Repair Screens Install or Repair Screens

Drain Standing Water At least once or twice a week, empty water from flower pots, pet food and water dishes, birdbaths, swimming pool covers, buckets, barrels, and cans. At least once or twice a week, empty water from flower pots, pet food and water dishes, birdbaths, swimming pool covers, buckets, barrels, and cans. Check for clogged rain gutters and clean them out. Check for clogged rain gutters and clean them out. Remove discarded tires, and other items that could collect water. Remove discarded tires, and other items that could collect water. Be sure to check for containers or trash in places that may be hard to see, such as under bushes or under your home Be sure to check for containers or trash in places that may be hard to see, such as under bushes or under your home

Install or Repair Screens Some mosquitoes will try to come indoors. Some mosquitoes will try to come indoors. Have well-fitting screens on both doors and window. Have well-fitting screens on both doors and window. Offer to help neighbors whose screens might be in bad shape. Offer to help neighbors whose screens might be in bad shape.

Help Your Community Report Dead Birds to Local Authorities Report Dead Birds to Local Authorities Mosquito Control Programs Mosquito Control Programs Clean Up Clean Up Find Out More about Local Prevention Efforts Find Out More about Local Prevention Efforts

Report Dead Birds to Local Authorities Dead birds may be a sign that West Nile virus is circulating between birds and the mosquitoes in an area. Dead birds may be a sign that West Nile virus is circulating between birds and the mosquitoes in an area. Over 130 species of birds are known to have been infected with West Nile virus, though not all infected birds will die. Over 130 species of birds are known to have been infected with West Nile virus, though not all infected birds will die. It's important to remember that birds die from many other causes besides West Nile virus. It's important to remember that birds die from many other causes besides West Nile virus. CDC West Nile Virus and Birds Questions and Answers CDC West Nile Virus and Birds Questions and AnswersWest Nile Virus and Birds Questions and AnswersWest Nile Virus and Birds Questions and Answers

Mosquito Control Programs Check with local health authorities to see if there is an organized mosquito control program in your area. Check with local health authorities to see if there is an organized mosquito control program in your area. If no program exists, work with your local government officials to establish a program. If no program exists, work with your local government officials to establish a program. The American Mosquito Control Association can provide advice, and their book Organization for Mosquito Control is a useful reference. The American Mosquito Control Association can provide advice, and their book Organization for Mosquito Control is a useful reference.American Mosquito Control AssociationAmerican Mosquito Control Association

Clean Up Mosquito breeding sites can be everywhere. Mosquito breeding sites can be everywhere. Neighborhood clean up days can be organized by civic or youth organizations to pick up containers from vacant lots and parks, and to encourage people to keep their yards free of standing water. Neighborhood clean up days can be organized by civic or youth organizations to pick up containers from vacant lots and parks, and to encourage people to keep their yards free of standing water. Mosquitoes don't care about fences, so it's important to control breeding sites anywhere in the neighborhood. Mosquitoes don't care about fences, so it's important to control breeding sites anywhere in the neighborhood.

Find Out More about Local Prevention Efforts You local community may already have prevention efforts underway. CDC L L L L L iiii nnnn kkkk ssss t t t t oooo S S S S tttt aaaa tttt eeee a a a a nnnn dddd L L L L oooo cccc aaaa llll GGGG oooo vvvv eeee rrrr nnnn mmmm eeee nnnn tttt W W W W eeee ssss tttt N N N N iiii llll eeee V V V V iiii rrrr uuuu ssss W W W W eeee bbbb SSSS iiii tttt eeee ssss