Preventation Can Limit Impact Of Mosquito Illnesses

By  //  September 5, 2012

Measures Include Draining Standing Water

BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA – With widespread cases of West Nile infection reported in the United States and detection of the virus in sentinel chickens in Florida, agencies are warning resudents to take precautions.

The Brrevard County Health Department is urging residents to take precautions against mosquitos that spread the West Nile infection. (Shutterstock image)

Although no human cases have been reported in Brevard County this year, the Brevard County Health Department and Brevard County Mosquito Control have cautioned  residents to protect themselves against mosquito-borne illness.

They have encouraged residents to stop mosquitoes from living and multiplying around homes or businesses.

They suggest taking these measures for protection from mosquito’s bites and the diseases they carry:

Drain standing water to stop mosquitoes from multiplying. This includes draining water from garbage cans, house gutters, pool covers, coolers, toys, flower pots or any other containers where sprinkler or rain water has collected, discarding old tires, drums, bottles, cans, pots and pans, broken appliances and other items that aren’t being used, and emptying and cleaning birdbaths and pet’s water bowls at least once or twice a week.

They also suggest protecting boats and vehicles from rain with tarps that don’t accumulate water, maintaining the water chemistry) of swimming pools and emptying plastic swimming pools when not in use.

When outside, cover your skin with clothing and use mosquito repellent.

And if  you must be outside when mosquitoes are active, cover up. Wear shoes, socks, long pants, and long sleeves.

Apply mosquito repellent liberally to bare skin and clothing. Always use repellents according to the label. Repellents with DEET, picaridin, oil of lemon eucalyptus, and IR3535 are effective. Use mosquito netting to protect children younger than 2 months.

They also suggest covering doors and windows with screens to keep mosquitoes out and repairing broken screens on windows, doors, porches, and patios.

For more information about preventing the spread of mosquito-borne diseases,  see the: CDC’s guidelines: http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvbid/westnile.