The Lawrence-Douglas County Health Department urges residents to take precautions against mosquitoes when outdoors. The recent rainy conditions have the potential to make mosquito populations flourish this summer.
Mosquito bites can be more than itchy — they can spread disease, like West Nile virus. Symptoms of West Nile virus range from a slight headache and low-grade fever to swelling of the brain or brain tissue and, in rare cases, death. The best way to avoid this virus is to prevent mosquito bites.
“It’s important to be mindful that mosquitoes are out and their bites can spread disease,” said Kim Ens, director of Clinic Services and public health nurse. “There are a few simple precautions you can take to keep yourself and your family safe this summer.”
These precautions are:
• Use insect repellent. When outdoors, use insect repellent on exposed skin and clothing that contains these active ingredients: DEET, picaridin, IR3535 or plant-based oil of lemon eucalyptus. Follow the directions on the package. When using on children, apply to your hands and then put it on the child. After returning indoors, wash your child’s treated skin and clothes with soap and water or bathe. According to the label, oil of lemon eucalyptus products should not be used on children under age three. Other ingredients do not have an age restriction.
• Wear protective clothing. Wear long sleeve shirts and long pants and socks while outdoors.
• Avoid certain times of day. The mosquitoes that spread West Nile virus bite between dusk and dawn. Limit the amount of time you spend outdoors during these hours. If you are outside, be sure to wear repellent and protective clothing.
• Get rid of standing water. Get rid of mosquito breeding sites by emptying standing water from flower pots, buckets and barrels. Change the water in outdoor pet dishes and replace the water in birdbaths weekly. Drill holes in tire swings so water drains out. Empty children’s wading pools when they aren’t being used.