FIGHT THE BITE

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FIGHT THE BITE!

• Avoid Mosquito
• Bites to
• Avoid Infection

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Presentation Goals

• By following the steps outlined in this
  presentation, you will be able to
• Avoid bites and illness
• Clean out the mosquitoes from the places where
  you work and play
• Help your community control the disease.

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Something to Remember

• The chance that any one person is going to become
  ill from a mosquito bite remains low. Most people
  who are infected with the virus will not develop
  any symptoms at all. The risk of severe illness
  and death is highest for people over 50 years
  old.

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Avoid Mosquito Bites

• Apply Insect Repellent Containing DEET
• Clothing Can Help Reduce Mosquito Bites
• Be Aware of Peak Mosquito Hours

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Apply Insect Repellent Containing
DEET(N,N-diethyl-meta-toluamide)

• Apply to exposed skin
• Use even when outdoors for a short time
• CDC Insect Repellent and Safety Questions and
  Answers
• EPA Using Insect Repellent Safely

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Clothing Can Help Reduce Mosquito Bites

• Wear long pants, long sleeves, and socks.
• Spray clothes with repellent containing permethin
  or DEET for extra protection
• Do not spray repellents containing permethin
  directly to skin
• Do not spray repellents containing DEET on the
  skin under your clothing

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Be Aware of Peak Mosquito Hours

• Hours from dusk to dawn
• Take extra care to use repellent and
  protective clothing
• Consider avoiding outdoor activities

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Mosquito Proof Your Home

• Drain Standing Water
• Install or Repair Screens

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Drain Standing Water

• 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.

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Install or Repair Screens

• Some mosquitoes will try to come indoors.
• Have well-fitting screens on both doors and
  windows.
• Offer to help neighbors whose screens might be in
  bad shape.

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Help Your Community

• Report Dead Birds to Local Authorities
• Mosquito Control Programs
• Clean Up
• Find Out More about Local Prevention Efforts

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Report Dead Birds to Local Authorities

• Dead birds may be a sign that West Nile virus is
  circulating between birds and the mosquitoes in
  an area.
• Over 130 species of birds are known to have been
  infected with West Nile virus, though not all
  infected birds will die.
• It's important to remember that birds die from
  many other causes besides West Nile virus.
• CDC West Nile Virus and Birds Questions and
  Answers

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Mosquito Control Programs

• Check with local health authorities to see if
  there is an organized mosquito control program
  in your area.
• If no program exists, work with your local
  government officials to establish a program.
• The American Mosquito Control Association can
  provide advice, and their book Organization for
  Mosquito Control is a useful reference.

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Clean Up

• Mosquito breeding sites can be everywhere.
• Neighborhood clean up days can be organized by
  civic or youth organizations to pick up
  containers from vacant lots and parks, and to
  encourage people to keep their yards free of
  standing water.
• Mosquitoes dont care about fences, so its
  important to control breeding sites anywhere in
  the neighborhood.

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Find Out More about Local Prevention Efforts

• Your local community may already have prevention
  efforts underway.
• CDC Links to State and Local Government West Nile
  Virus Web Sites