About West Nile
Virus
Transmission of West Nile Virus
Symptoms of West Nile Virus
Prevention of West Nile Virus
Testing and Treating West Nile Virus
in Humans
West
Nile Virus and Birds
West Nile Virus and Dogs and Cats
West Nile Virus and Horses
Map of Progression of West Nile Virus Across
the United States
What You Can do to Eliminate Mosquitoes
Prevention of West Nile
Virus
Q. What can be done to prevent
outbreaks
of West Nile Virus?
A. Prevention and control of West
Nile Virus and
other arboviral diseases is most
effectively
accomplished through integrated vector
management programs. The L.A. County West
Vector Control District maintains such
programs
including: surveillance for West Nile
Virus activity
in mosquito vectors, birds, and sentinel
chicken
flocks; and the implementation of
appropriate
mosquito control measures to reduce
mosquito
populations.
Q. Is there a human vaccine
against West Nile Encephalitis?
A. No, but several companies are
working towards developing a vaccine.
Q. What can I do to reduce my
risk of becoming infected with West Nile
Virus?
A. - Stay indoors at dawn, dusk,
and in the early evening.
- Wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants
whenever you are outdoors.
- Spray clothing with repellents
containing permethrin or DEET since
mosquitoes may bite through thin clothing.
- Apply insect repellent sparingly to
exposed skin. An effective repellent will
contain up to 35% DEET (N, N-diethyl-meta-toluamide).
DEET in high concentrations (greater than
35%) provides no additional protection.
- Repellents may irritate the eyes and
mouth, so avoid applying repellent to the
hands of children.
- Whenever you use an insecticide or
insect repellent, be sure to read and
follow the manufacturer's DIRECTIONS FOR
USE, as printed on the product.
- Install or repair window and door
screens so that mosquitoes cannot get
indoors.
Note: Vitamin B and "ultrasonic"
devices are NOT effective in preventing
mosquito bites.
Q. Where can I get more
information on mosquito repellents?
A. Visit the American College of
Physicians website:
"Mosquitoes and mosquito repellents: A
clinician's guide" (Mark S. Fradin, MD.
Annals of Internal Medicine. June 1, 1998;
128:931-940). You can also find
information on insect repellents
containing DEET at the Environmental
Protection Agency (EPA) website. Another
good source of information about
pesticides and repellents is the
National Pesticide Information Center,
which also operates a toll-free
information line: 1-800-858-7378 (check
their website for hours).
(Information on this
page obtained from the Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention)
For West Nile Virus
information updates call toll free:
877-WNV-BIRD (877-968-273)
WestNile.ca.gov
Centers for Disease Control information on
West Nile Virus
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