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. 

JCPH Animal-Borne Disease Webpage

Property Owners Take Charge

Mosquito surveillance & control for West Nile Virus in 2012
West Nile Virus (WNV) season is here and with the mosquitoes, comes the need for property owners to provide mosquito monitoring and control activities on their property. In past years, standing water on properties throughout the County was evaluated by a mosquito control contractor hired through JCPH and water was treated if mosquito larvae were found. Due to budget constraints, as of 2011, JCPH no longer provides this service. Eliminating standing water is the most effective way to stop mosquito breeding. If the water cannot be eliminated, the installation of an aerator to keep the water flowing is the next best step.   >> Brochure     How to Protect your Home.

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.