Is West Nile Virus a Threat in Your Area This Year?

First reported in the United States in 1999, West Nile virus causes only a mild, flu-like illness 20 percent of the time. Still, the virus is considered a public health concern because of the risk of contracting a potentially fatal brain infection in about 1 percent of cases. In addition, the risk of illness severity is greater for persons over age 50 and for those who are immunocompromised.

Preventing Mosquito Bites is Key

Because West Nile virus is transmitted by mosquitoes, the best way to reduce the chance of becoming infected is to avoid getting bitten. Here’s how:

-- Use insect repellent such as DEET (no more than 10 percent formula for children; not intended for use on infants under 2 months old) or natural oil of lemon eucalyptus (not intended for use on children under age 3) on clothing and skin; for details on insect repellents and usage guidelines see www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvbid/westnile/qa/insect_repellent.htm.

-- Eliminate mosquito breeding sites by draining sources of standing water, inserting mosquito larvae pellets in drains, maintaining clean gutters and keeping fountain waters flowing.