Fight the Bite . . . Adhere to the 4 Ds of West Nile Virus Prevention

Mosquito season is here and with it comes possible exposure to West Nile Virus.  The best way to protect yourself, your family and your community from mosquito bites and the potential of contracting West Nile Virus is to follow the four Ds: Drain, Dusk/Dawn, Dress, DEET. 

·         DRAIN: Even the smallest containers like coffee and soda cans can be enough water for mosquitoes to lay eggs so everyone should thoroughly inspect all areas around their home and work for standing water and drain or empty all standing water.

·         DUSK/DAWN: Take extra care to use repellent and protective clothing during evening and early morning (dusk and dawn) or consider avoiding outdoor activities during these times when mosquitoes are most active.

·         DRESS: Dress in long sleeves and pants during dusk and dawn or in areas where mosquitoes are active. Wearing light-colored clothing may also help prevent being bitten.

·         DEET, Picariden or Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus: Wear insect repellant containing either DEET, Picariden or oil of lemon eucalyptus.

o   Follow label instructions.

o   Apply repellants to exposed skin and/or clothing.

o   Never use repellants over cuts, wounds or irritated skin.

o   If using DEET, choose the concentration that best fits the amount of time spent outside.

§  25 percent DEET lasts up to 5 hours,

§  5 percent lasts 45-90 minutes.

§  Use a concentration of 30 percent or less for children.

o   DEET should not be used on children less than 6 months of age. Oil of lemon eucalyptus should not be used on children less than 3 years of age.

In 2015, as reported by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, a total of 101 cases of human West Nile Virus (WNV) infection were identified across the state of Colorado.

For more information about West Nile Virus, please visit the JCPH website or the Colorado Fight the Bite website.

Fight the Bite . . . Adhere to the 4 Ds of West Nile Virus Prevention

The recent rains followed by warm weather have increased the number of tiny flying insects in the county.  At this time, many of these insects are nuisance species like midges or gnats but the mosquito season is here and their numbers will increase in the coming weeks along with possible exposure to West Nile Virus.  The best way to protect yourself, your family and your community from mosquito bites and the potential of contracting West Nile Virus is to follow the four Ds: Drain, Dusk/Dawn, Dress, DEET. 

·         DRAIN: Even the smallest containers like coffee and soda cans can be enough water for mosquitoes to lay eggs so everyone should thoroughly inspect all areas around their home and work for standing water and drain or empty all standing water.

·         DUSK/DAWN: Take extra care to use repellent and protective clothing during evening and early morning (dusk and dawn) or consider avoiding outdoor activities during these times when mosquitoes are most active.

·         DRESS: Dress in long sleeves and pants during dusk and dawn or in areas where mosquitoes are active. Wearing light-colored clothing may also help prevent being bitten.

·         DEET, Picariden or Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus: Wear insect repellant containing either DEET, Picariden or oil of lemon eucalyptus.

o   Follow label instructions.

o   Apply repellants to exposed skin and/or clothing.

o   Never use repellants over cuts, wounds or irritated skin.

o   If using DEET, choose the concentration that best fits the amount of time spent outside. 25 percent DEET lasts up to 5 hours, 5 percent lasts 45-90 minutes. Use a concentration of 30 percent or less for children.

o   DEET should not be used on children less than 6 months of age. Oil of lemon eucalyptus should not be used on children less than 3 years of age.

In 2014, as reported by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, a total of 118 cases of human West Nile Virus (WNV) infection were identified in Colorado from 24 different counties.

For more information about West Nile Virus, please visit the JCPH website or the Colorado Fight the Bite website.

Do You Know the 4 D’s of West Nile Virus Prevention?

The best way to protect yourself, your family and your community from mosquito bites, is to follow the four D’s: Drain, Dusk/Dawn, Dress, DEET.

DRAIN: Drain or empty standing water around your home and neighborhood, since that is where mosquitoes lay their eggs

DUSK/DAWN: Take extra care to use repellent and protective clothing during evening and early morning (dusk and dawn) or consider avoiding outdoor activities during these times when mosquitoes are most active

DRESS: Dress in long sleeves and pants during dusk and dawn or in areas where mosquitoes are active. Wearing light-colored clothing may also help prevent being bitten.

DEET, Picariden or Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus: Wear insect repellant containing either DEET, Picariden or oil of lemon eucalyptus.

•  Follow label instructions
•  Apply repellants to exposed skin and/or clothing.
• Never use repellants over cuts, wounds or irritated skin
•  If using DEET, choose the concentration that best fits the amount of time spent outside. 25 percent DEET lasts up to 5 hours, 5 percent lasts 45-90 minutes. Use a concentration of 30 percent or less for children.
• DEET should not be used on children less than 6 months of age. Oil of lemon eucalyptus should not be used on children less than 3 years of age. 

West Nile Virus and Western Equine Encephalitis (WEE)

These diseases are carried by mosquitoes and passed to humans through a mosquito bite.
Not all mosquitoes carry disease, the mosquitoes of greatest concern in Jefferson County are Culex (medium-sized mosquitoes) that feed primarily around dawn and dusk. These mosquitoes are monitored by JCPH’s integrated mosquito control program.

Symptoms: develop between 3 & 14 days after being bitten.

• Fever
• Headache
• Tiredness -lasting 2-7 days.

Most people who are infected with mosquito-borne viruses

do not become ill or have any symptoms.

In some cases:
The virus can cause a serious brain infection such as aseptic meningitis or encephalitis (inflammation of the brain and lining of the brain/spinal cord). These infections begin with:

• Sudden onset of high fever
• Headache
• May progress to stiff neck
• Disorientation
• Tremors
• Coma

Severe infections can result in permanent impairment or death.

There is no specific treatment for infection
with these viruses except supportive care.

Prevention:

• Mosquito proof your home and backyard.
• Wear appropriate clothing and insect repellent.
• Use insect repellent even in your own back yard.
• Eliminate any standing water weekly. Culex mosquitoes breed in almost any source of standing water, including old tires, flowerpots, tree holes, or any puddle. Mosquitoes lay up to 250 eggs at a time, which hatch in as few as 2-3 days.

For more information on West Nile Virus and other animal-borne diseases, visit our website at www.jeffco.us/health.