West Nile Virus

"Don’t let mosquitoes wreck your summer. Protect yourself and your family from mosquito bites.

Summertime means mosquitoes and West Nile virus (WNV) season. A bite from an infected mosquito can make you or a family member sick. In the United States, cases are reported from summer and continue into fall. WNV is the most common pathogen spread by mosquitoes in the continental United States.

Stay healthy this summer. Take steps to prevent mosquito bites.

The most effective way to avoid getting WNV is to prevent mosquito bites.

Prevention

• Use insect repellent: When used as directed, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)-registered insect repellents are proven safe and effective, even for pregnant and breastfeeding women. Use an (EPA)-registered insect repellentexternal iconwith one of the following active ingredients:
  • DEET
  • Picaridin
  • IR3535
  • Oil of lemon eucalyptus (OLE)
  • Para-menthane-diol (PMD)
  • 2-undecanone

• Cover up: Wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants.
• Keep mosquitoes outside: Use air conditioning or window and door screens..."
  West Nile virus