Time to protect yourself from West Nile virus

Now is the time to take action to protect yourself from West Nile virus, according to the El Paso County Department of Health and Environment. Recent rain mixed with warm weather makes the perfect recipe for mosquitoes to become active and reproduce.”It’s important that members of the public take action to protect themselves from potentially serious illness associated with West Nile virus,” said executive director Kandi Buckland, R.N., M.P.A. “We’re seeing warmer temperatures, and we’ve had recent precipitation, so the conditions are correct for mosquitoes and the diseases they can carry to become a problem.”Here are the key steps that residents should take to protect themselves, their families and the community from West Nile virus.

• Wear insect repellant with DEET.
• DRAIN standing water outside in tires, flower pots and the like.
• Limit outdoor activity at DUSK and DAWN when mosquitoes are most active.
• DRESS in pants and long sleeves when outdoors, if possible.
• TREAT standing water, such as small ponds and livestock tanks with larvacide “doughnuts.”

West Nile virus was first detected in El Paso County in 2002; the first human cases were reported in 2003. Due to budget cuts, the Health Department no longer treats standing water on public or private property or collects mosquitoes and dead birds for West Nile virus testing. Property owners are encouraged to take steps to reduce mosquito populations on their own property.For more information, visit www.elpasocountyhealth.org.