Prevention
Q. What can I do to reduce my risk of becoming infected with West
Nile virus?
A.
Here are preventive measures that you and your family can take:
Protect
yourself from mosquito bites:
- Apply
insect repellent sparingly to exposed skin. The more DEET a
repellent contains the longer time it can protect you from mosquito
bites. A higher percentage of DEET in a repellent does not mean
that your protection is better—just that it will last
longer. DEET concentrations higher than 50% do not increase
the length of protection. Choose a repellent that provides protection
for the amount of
time that you will be outdoors.
- Repellents
may irritate the eyes and mouth, so avoid applying repellent
to the hands of children.
- Whenever
you use an insecticide or insect repellent, be sure to read
and follow the manufacturer's DIRECTIONS FOR USE, as printed
on the product.
- For
detailed information about using repellents, see the Insect
Repellent Use and Safety questions.
- Spray
clothing with repellents containing permethrin or DEET since
mosquitoes may bite through thin clothing. Do not apply repellents
containing permethrin directly to exposed skin. If you spray
your clothing, there is no need to spray repellent containing
DEET on the skin under your clothing.
- When
possible, wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants whenever you
are outdoors.
- Place
mosquito netting over infant carriers when you are outdoors
with infants.
- Consider
staying indoors at dawn, dusk, and in the early evening, which
are peak mosquito biting times.
- Install
or repair window and door screens so that mosquitoes cannot
get indoors.
Help
reduce the number of mosquitoes in areas outdoors where you work
or play, by draining sources of standing water. In this way, you
reduce the number of places mosquitoes can lay their eggs and
breed.
- At
least once or twice a week, empty water from flower pots, pet
food and water dishes, birdbaths, swimming pool covers, buckets,
barrels, and cans.
- Check
for clogged rain gutters and clean them out.
- Remove
discarded tires, and other items that could collect water.
- Be
sure to check for containers or trash in places that may be
hard to see, such as under bushes or under your home.
Note:
Vitamin B and "ultrasonic" devices are NOT effective
in preventing mosquito bites.
New!
Kids can learn how to protect themselves from mosquito bites on
"The
Buzz-z-z-z on West Nile Virus" (on BAM!, the CDC site
for kids).
Q.
What can be done to prevent outbreaks of West Nile virus?
A. Prevention and control of West Nile virus and other arboviral
diseases is most effectively accomplished through integrated vector
management programs. These programs should include surveillance
for West Nile virus activity in mosquito vectors, birds, horses,
other animals, and humans, and implementation of appropriate mosquito
control measures to reduce mosquito populations when necessary.
Additionally, when virus activity is detected in an area, residents
should be alerted and advised to increase measures to reduce contact
with mosquitoes. Details about effective prevention and control
of West Nile virus can be found in CDC's
Guidelines for Surveillance, Prevention, and Control
(286 KB, 111 pages).
Q.
Is there a vaccine against West Nile encephalitis?
A. No, but several companies are working towards developing
a vaccine.
Q.
Where can I get information about the use of pesticide sprays
that are being used for mosquito control?
A. The federal agency responsible for pesticide evaluation
is the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
See the EPA Web site for detailed answers to the questions
about pesticides used for mosquito control.