Viral Encephalitis
Reduce Your Risk
Here's how you can prevent viruses carried by mosquitoes:
- Empty any containers of standing water in your yard; if they're
necessary (i.e., a birdbath), change the water weekly. An old tire
collecting rainwater can breed thousands of mosquitoes.
- Stay indoors at dawn, dusk, and in the early evening.
- Wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants.
- Use insect repellent with 20-35% percent DEET or permethrin on
exposed skin and on thin clothing. Avoid repellents with higher DEET
concentrations. Follow the directions on the repellent bottle
carefully.
- Be careful when covering the kids with repellents. Insect repellents
can irritate the eyes and mouth, so use it on their hands sparingly.
Do not use any repellents on kids under 3.
- Remember, Vitamin B and ultrasonic devices don't deter mosquitoes.
Domestic animals, including dogs and cats, are at risk for some types
of encephalitis, including West Nile Virus. Dogs are at a higher risk than cats, and horses are
most at risk. Pets can't transmit the disease to their owners or to
other animals. If you suspect an animal has encephalitis, contact a
veterinarian immediately. Most likely it will recover from the disease.
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