High rainfalls have increased mosquito activity. Please take precautions and follow the “4 Ds of Defense” to protect yourself and your family from mosquitoes:
- Drain: Drain standing water from items around your home, yard, and business.
- Defend: When outdoors, use an EPA-approved insect repellent containing DEET, picaridin, oil of lemon eucalyptus, 2-undecanone, or IR3535 and reapply according to label directions.
- Dawn to Dusk: Protect yourself all day and night, and wear repellent outdoors during these prime times for mosquito activity.
- Dress: Wear long sleeves, pants, and closed toe shoes when outdoors to cover your skin.
Most people infected with West Nile Virus have no symptoms of illness. However, some may become ill usually three to 15 days after the bite of an infected mosquito. These symptoms include fever, nausea, headache, and muscle aches. In few individuals, neuroinvasive illness such as meningitis (inflammation of tissue surrounding spinal cord) or encephalitis (inflammation of tissue surrounding the brain), or even death, can occur. People older than 60 years and individuals with weakened immune systems and/or multiple medical conditions are at higher risk for severe illness from West Nile Virus.