Insect repellent to protect from West Nile Virus

Main Category: Public Health
Article Date: 26 Jul 2004 - 7:00 PDT

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Enjoying summer weather in North America also brings with it the risk of West Nile virus and habits are changing once again. The use of insect repellent needs to become part of our outdoor routine, just like sunscreen, to protect ourselves from mosquito bites that may result in infection with West Nile virus.

West Nile virus is mainly transmitted to people through the bite of an infected mosquito. Symptoms range from flu-like to severe and potentially fatal, especially for older people and people with ongoing medical conditions.

Anyone, of any age or health status, is at risk for serious health effects from West Nile virus. The chances of being infected with West Nile virus are low, but your risk increases if you don't protect yourself from mosquito bites. The first North American outbreak of West Nile virus was in 1999 in New York City. In 2003, over 1,300 Canadians were infected and became ill due to West Nile virus.

Reducing your risk of West Nile virus though can be as easy as wearing insect repellent with DEET or other approved ingredients when you go outside. Mosquitoes can bite at any time of the day or night so you need to take precautions when you're in an area where West Nile is active.

Other precautions you can take to reduce your risk of getting bitten include wearing a hat and light-coloured clothing with long sleeves and pant legs when going outside. You should also ensure all the screens in your house are hole-free and fit snugly, and eliminate any sources of standing water, the perfect breeding ground for mosquitoes, on your property.

We all know that insect repellent is not like perfume. That's the idea. It is designed to repel mosquitoes and other insects as long as we follow the directions on the package.

It should be applied lightly to exposed skin or on top of clothes, and today's repellents are much less smelly than those developed in the past.

There is no question that putting on mosquito repellent - and sunscreen, for that matter - is an inconvenience. But both protect us from diseases that can be fatal. It is a small price to pay for good health.

http://www.canadian-health-network.ca