West Nile Virus and Controlling the Skeeters

The virus occurs in people primarily in the late summer or early fall. People with a weakened immune system or over 50 years old have the highest risk of developing a severe illness after being bitten by an infected mosquito. However, anyone can get the virus.

People with mild infections may experience fever, headache, body aches, skin rash, and swollen lymph glands. People with more severe infections may experience high fever, headache, stiff neck, confusion, coma, tremors, occasional convulsions and paralysis. West Nile virus can cause permanent neurological damage and may be fatal. The illness will occur usually within 5 to 15 days of being bitten by an infected mosquito. If you have any of these symptoms, please seek medical care immediately.

Remember, a majority of people that are infected with the virus never notice more than the usual itch or experience only mild illness. While most people fully recover from the virus, in some severe cases hospitalization may be needed.

Unfortunately, there is no specific treatment or vaccine for West Nile virus.

• Control mosquito breeding hotspots. Eliminate standing, stagnant water in flowerpots, trashcans, tires, wheelbarrows, window wells, storm drains, junk piles, etc.
• Repair leaky faucets.
• Clean clogged roof gutters and downspouts as needed.
• Make sure that all doors and windows have tight-fitting screens. Repair all screens and screen doors that have tears or holes.
• If possible, stay indoors during dawn, dusk and early evening when mosquitoes are most active.
• Should you have to go outdoors over a long period of time, or when mosquitoes are most active, wear long-sleeved shirts, long pants and socks.
• Avoid areas with heavy underbrush and trees.
• Take steps to prevent mosquito bites. Apply insect repellant sparingly to exposed skin. Be sure to follow the manufacturers’ instructions carefully. Effective insect repellants contain 20% to 30% of DEET, the active ingredient in insect repellants (Do not apply insect repellants to eyes, mouth or on children less than 3 years old). The CDC says that the plant-based oil of lemon eucalyptus (an organic alternative), is as effective as repellents with lower concentrations of DEET.
• Insect repellants containing permethrin may be sprayed on clothing to help prevent mosquitoes from biting through clothes.
• Stock ornamental ponds with goldfish and aerate.
• Clean and chlorinate all pools as needed.
• Turn over plastic wading pools when not in use.
• Change water in birdbaths weekly.
• Keep water containers such as rain barrels free of mosquito larvae.
• Landscape your property to reduce low spots. Mosquitoes, the transmitters of the West Nile Virus, can breed in any puddle of water. A small puddle can become home for up to 1,000 mosquitoes after four days.

Eliminating breeding sites for mosquitoes goes a long way to prevent West Nile Virus.