Rio Grande County Public Health Agency                                       Tel (719) 657-3352                                     Email:

                              925 6th Street, Room 101                                                                Fax (719)657-2286

                               Del Norte, Colorado 81132

JOIN THE “SWAT TEAM” AGAINST WEST NILE VIRUS

Remember the 4 D’s to Prevent WNV Illness:

DUSK-to-DAWN, DRESS, DRAIN, DEET

Protect Yourself and Your Family

Against Mosquito Bites and WNV Infection

· Limit outdoor activities after sunset (when infected mosquitoes are biting).

· Wear light colored clothing, long sleeves, long pants, and socks when outdoors.

· Eliminate mosquito breeding grounds by draining ditches and puddles, cleaning roof gutters, removing trash that holds water (tires, cans, bottles, etc.)

· When outside, protect exposed skin with DEET.

· Make sure doors and windows have tight fitting screens in good repair. Fill gaps in walls.

· Organize neighborhood and highway cleanup.

· Clean and/or change water in tanks, troughs, bird baths and wading pools at least weekly.

· Fluorescent exterior lights may be less attractive to insects than incandescent lights.  Nearby “bug zappers” may attract mosquitoes to you!

· Contact your local mosquito control agency or extension agent if you have questions about spraying or insecticides.

· Mosquito larvicide (BT) can be used in standing water that cannot be drained.

Insect Repellents Prevent Mosquito Bites

DEET is the longest lasting mosquito repellent.

DEET is safe and effective when used as directed:  

· DEET concentrations above 30% are not recommended

· Protect for the amount of time you will be outdoors:

 -24% DEET can protect for about 5 hours

-10% DEET may only protect for 2 hours.

DEET and children:

· Do not use if child is less than two months old.

· Do not apply to a child’s hands, near eyes or mouth.

· Do not apply DEET to a child more than once a day.

Repellents without DEET may not last as long.

· PICARIDIN, Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus & “IR3535” can repel mosquitoes.  Oil of lemon eucalyptus is not recommended for children less than 3 years old.

PERMETHRIN (Permanone) should not be used on skin; it is applied to clothing to kill insects including mosquitoes.  Permethrin:

· will last through several washings and not harm fabrics.

· is safe when used as directed.

West Nile Virus Human Infections

· Colorado reported 71 human cases of WNV disease in 2008, compared with 576 cases in 2007 and 2,947 in 2003.  There has been no San Luis Valley case reported since 2003 despite local mosquitoes carrying WNV.  WNV does not go away.  SLV residents will be at risk every summer.

· One bite from an infected mosquito can probably transmit WNV to a human.  Most infected people never get sick.  For those who get sick, illness starts 3-14 days after a bite.

· About 20% of persons with WNV infection are ill for 2-4 weeks or more with: fatigue, headache, fever, muscle pain, rash, weakness and confusion.

· Less than 5% of infected persons get WNV meningitis or encephalitis (en-sef-a-lie-tis), serious nerve and brain infections usually affecting persons older than age 50.    Symptoms include sudden high fever and headache, eye pain, stiff neck, confusion, shakes, paralysis and coma. See your physician immediately if you have these symptoms which can lead to permanent brain damage or death.

· There is no vaccine for people, yet.

What is West Nile Virus (WNV)?

· WNV was first isolated in Africa in 1937, appeared in the U.S. in 1999 in New York City, and was spread by migratory birds to Colorado by the summer of 2002.

· The “bite” of infected mosquitoes transmits WNV.

· Humans, horses and some birds get WNV infections and usually only pass the virus on to biting mosquitoes.

West Nile Virus Also Infects Birds and Horses

· WNV can be fatal to birds (especially crows, ravens, magpies, and jays).  1-877-462-2911 has general WNV information including dead bird handling and testing.

· Horses are very susceptible to WNV infection, which is frequently fatal. Protect horses now with vaccination.

For more information about West Nile Virus call COHELP Line 1-877-462-2911 or contact your local county public health agency.