Protecting Yourself from West Nile Virus

West Nile Virus has appeared in mosquitoes, birds, and humans in Bay County since 2002. Last summer was a particularly active year for the virus in our area with 16 mosquito samples and 22 birds testing positive, along with two residents becoming infected. While the chances of becoming ill are small, senior populations are particularly susceptible to this infection.

There is no West Nile virus vaccine available for humans, so it is important to take every precaution possible to protect yourself from mosquito bites, including:

• Using EPA-recommended insect repellent
• Wearing long sleeves and pants to limit your skin’s exposure when outdoors at dawn and dusk when mosquitoes are most active 
• Preventing mosquitoes from breeding in your yard by dumping water from containers and keeping bird baths and pet dishes clean 
• Repairing holes in screens to keep mosquitoes out of your house
  

Protect yourself while you enjoy the outdoors during these all-too-short summer months. Contact Mosquito Control at 989-894-4555 with any questions you may have regarding mosquito prevention and protecting yourself from mosquito bites this summer.