West Nile Virus
The best way to prevent West Nile Virus is to reduce the number of
mosquitoes. The Illinois Department of
Public Health recommends eliminating stagnant water where mosquitoes breed when
possible or applying larvacide, available at many hardware stores, to small
pools of water that cannot be eliminated.
The Illinois Department of Public Health offers the following
suggestions to help reduce mosquitoes:
· Remove
old tires, tin cans, buckets, drums, bottles or other places where mosquitoes
might breed. Check clogged gutters and flat roofs that may have poor
drainage. Make sure cisterns, cesspools,
septic tanks, burn barrels, rain barrels and trash containers are covered
tightly with a lid or with 16-mesh screen.
· Empty
plastic wading pools at least once a week and store indoors when not in
use. Unused swimming pools should be
covered or drained during the mosquito season.
· Change
the water in bird baths and plant pots or drip trays at least once each week.
· Store
boats covered or upside down, or remove rainwater weekly.
· Change
your pet's water daily.
· Fill
in tree rot holes and hollow stumps that hold water.
· Stock ornamental gardens with mosquito eating fish (e.g., minnows,
"mosquito fish," or goldfish).
· Keep
weeds and tall grass cut short; adult mosquitoes rest in these shady places.
People should follow these recommendations to protect themselves
from mosquito bites:
· Avoid
places and times when mosquitoes bite. Generally, the peak biting periods occur just
before and after sunset and again just before dawn.
· Be sure door and window screens are tight fitting and in good repair.
· Wear light colored clothing. Long-sleeved tops and long pants made of
tightly woven materials keep mosquitoes away from the skin.
· Use mosquito netting when sleeping outdoors or in an unscreened
structure and to protect small babies any time.
· Check
to see that your mosquito repellent contains DEET (N,N-diethyl-m-toluamide).
Generally, repellents with about 25 percent to 35 percent DEET work best
for adults. Use lower concentrations of
10 percent or less for children between the ages of 2 to 12. Do not use repellents on infants. Apply repellent as indicated on the product's
label.
Office Hours
Monday
- Friday
8:30
a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Bond
County Health Department
1520
South 4th Street
Greenville,
IL 62246
(618)
664-1442