Protect yourself against mosquitoes and ticks

PELLA — According to the Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH), the first human case of West Nile virus disease in Iowa this year has recently been confirmed.

West Nile virus is a mosquito-borne virus that was first reported in the United States in 1999. Mosquitoes spread the virus to people through a bite. The virus was identified in the eastern part of Iowa in September 2001. Human cases in Iowa have been reported every year since 2002.

Here are some quick tips on protecting yourself from mosquitoes:

· Use insect repellent with DEET, picaridin, IR3535, or oil of lemon eucalyptus. Check label for correct use.

· Wear protective clothing, such as long sleeves, long pants, socks and shoes when possible.

· Eliminate standing water around the home — that’s where mosquitoes breed. At least twice a week, empty water from flower pots, pet food and water dishes, birdbaths, swimming pool covers, buckets, barrels and cans or any thing else that can hold water sufficient for mosquitoes to breed.

· Avoid being outdoors during peak hours of mosquito activity — dusk and dawn.

Also according to the IDPH, the Iowa tick surveillance program has recently processed a large number of ticks and many of them tested positive for the organism that causes Lyme disease.

Take the following prevention measures against ticks:

· Wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants; tuck pants into socks.

· Wear light-colored clothing so it's easier to see ticks.

· Use repellant especially made for ticks (one containing DEET).

· Regularly check yourself and your family for ticks, especially around the head and neck. Also check pets that have been outside.

There has been significant discussion on the safety of DEET. But DEET is safe when used according to label directions. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that repellents with DEET should not be used on infants less than 2 months old. The safest approach for infants and children under 2 years is to minimize exposure to mosquitoes. Repellents that contain up to 30 percent DEET are safe for older children.

The length of time that an insect repellent will provide protection from mosquito bites depends on the concentration of DEET in the product. A higher percentage of DEET in a repellent does not provide better protection, just longer protection.

Pella Regional Health Center is a not-for-profit provider of health care that is accredited by The Joint Commission. Its mission is to provide healthcare and healing services with Christian compassion. Information on Pella Regional Health Center and its clinics is available by calling Public Relations at (641) 621-2358 or visiting the Web site, www.pellahealth.org.

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