Health
Department urges residents to “Fight the Bite” to protect against mosquitoes
carrying West Nile virus
Lake
County, Ill. – Summer is coming, and warmer temperatures
mean more outdoor fun and more mosquitoes. The Lake County Health Department
and Community Health Center reminds you to “Fight the Bite” and protect
yourself and your family from West Nile virus, an illness spread by mosquitoes.
“Mosquitoes in Illinois are beginning to test
positive for West Nile virus,” said Mark Pfister, the Health Department’s
Executive Director. “We encourage you to stay active outdoors this summer, but
take precautions to protect yourself and your family from mosquitoes.”
To help prevent mosquitoes from breeding around
your home and business and to protect yourself from bites, follow the “4 Ds of Defense”:
-
Drain:
Drain standing water from items around your home, yard, and business.
-
Defend:
When outdoors, use an insect repellent containing DEET, picaridin, or
IR3535 and reapply according to label directions.
-
Dawn and Dusk:
Protect yourself all day and night, and wear repellent outdoors during
these prime times for mosquito activity.
-
Dress:
Wear long sleeves, pants, and closed toe shoes when outdoors to cover your
skin.
Since 2002, there have been 64 confirmed human
cases of West Nile virus in Lake County, as well as two confirmed deaths.
The Lake County Health Department’s Mosquito
Surveillance Program collects mosquitoes in traps around Lake County and tests
them weekly for West Nile virus. The program also monitors reports of dead
birds (an early sign of the presence of the virus) and investigates areas of
stagnant water for the presence of mosquito larvae, specifically from the Culex
mosquito which is the primary carrier of West Nile in Illinois.
Find
more prevention tips and information on West Nile virus at www.FightTheBiteNow.com. Residents can also call the Health Department’s West Nile hotline to
report areas of stagnant water, locations of dead birds, and obtain more
information on the signs and symptoms of West Nile virus. The West Nile hotline number is (847) 377-8300.
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