Overview - Transmission - Prevention - Insect Repellent - Symptoms - Testing and Treating - Animals - Hunters
Q. What can I do to reduce my risk of becoming infected with West Nile virus?A. 1. Apply insect repellent sparingly to exposed skin. An effective repellent for adults will contain at least 35% DEET (N,N-diethyl-meta-toluamide). DEET in high concentrations (greater than 50%) provides no additional protection.
2. Repellents may irritate the eyes and mouth, so avoid applying repellent to the hands of children.
- Whenever you use an insecticide or insect repellent, be sure to read and follow the manufacturer's DIRECTIONS FOR USE, as printed on the product.
3. Spray clothing with repellents containing permethrin or DEET since mosquitoes may bite through thin clothing. Do not apply repellents containing permethrin directly to exposed skin. If you spray your clothing, there is no need to spray repellent containing DEET on the skin under your clothing.
4. When possible, wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants whenever you are outdoors.
5. Place mosquito netting over infant carriers when you are outdoors with infants.
6. Consider staying indoors at dawn, dusk, and in the early evening, which are peak mosquito biting times.
7. Install or repair window and door screens so that mosquitoes cannot get indoors.
8. To avoid helping mosquitoes breed in your environment, drain standing water. Routinely empty water from flower pots, pet bowls, clogged rain gutters, swimming pool covers, discarded tires, buckets, barrels, cans, and other items that collect water in which mosquitoes can lay eggs.
Note: Vitamin B and "ultrasonic" devices are NOT effective in preventing mosquito bites.
Q. What can be done to prevent outbreaks of West Nile virus?
A. Prevention and control of West Nile virus and other arboviral diseases is most effectively accomplished through integrated vector management programs. These programs should include surveillance for West Nile virus activity in mosquito vectors, birds, horses, other animals, and humans, and implementation of appropriate mosquito control measures to reduce mosquito populations when necessary. Additionally, when virus activity is detected in an area, residents should be alerted and advised to increase measures to reduce contact with mosquitoes.
Q. Is there a vaccine against West Nile encephalitis?
A. No, but several companies are working towards developing a vaccine.
Q. Where can I get information about the use of pesticide sprays that are being used for mosquito control?
A. The federal agency responsible for pesticide evaluation is the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). See the EPA Web site for detailed answers to the questions about pesticides used for mosquito control.
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