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Protecting Yourself from Mosquitoes and West Nile Virus
How can you help to reduce
annoyance from mosquitoes and also protect yourself and your family from infection?
The following tips come from
the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and/or Richard Pollack, Ph.D.,
an instructor in tropical public health at the Harvard School of Public Health.
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Stay indoors at dawn,
dusk, and in the early evening, when mosquitoes are most active. Certain mosquitoes
will be active at midday as well.
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Wear long-sleeved shirts
and long pants if practical when you are outdoors.
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Spray clothing with
repellents containing permethrin or DEET since mosquitoes may bite through thin
clothing. Read, understand and follow label directions.
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Apply insect repellent to
exposed skin. Select a repellent that is EPA-registered and appropriate for your age
and planned activities. Repellents containing DEET are generally more effective than
those containing other active ingredients. Adults may benefit from repellents
containing as little as 10 percent, or as much as 35 percent, DEET. Higher
concentrations than this provide very little additional protection, and they may
increase the chance of irritation or of damage to synthetic materials. Follow
manufacturer directions.
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When applying insect
repellents to children, use products with a DEET concentration of 10 percent or less.
Children should not apply the products to themselves. Do not apply repellents near the
eyes or mouth, and do not apply to children?s hands, which may end up in their eyes
or mouth, causing irritation.
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Install or repair window
and door screens to keep mosquitoes outdoors.
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Dump out standing water
in your yard, collected in places such as tires, empty flowerpots, toys and open
garbage cans. Change water often in birdbaths and keep your wading pool covered when
not in use.
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Keep your gutters clean,
also to prevent standing water.
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Contact your local
mosquito-control agency for other advice or assistance.
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If you have a pond,
consider buying mosquito-eating fish. Perhaps the best known is the mosquito fish, Gambusia
affinis. Before buying, however, contact your state fish and wildlife agency to
make sure this is appropriate and permissible.
Note: Vitamin B,
"ultrasonic" devices and mosquito traps have not been found effective in
preventing mosquito bites or reducing risk of infection.
Source: http://www.intelihealth.com
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