Health Check

Protecting Yourself and Your Family From West Nile Virus

The following are some suggested guidelines on how to protect you and your family from West Nile Virus:

• Avoid mosquito bites! Mosquitoes bit in the early morning and early evening hours. Two hours after the sunsets is when mosquitoes bit the most.
• Where long pants and long sleeved shirts if you go out at these times.
• Use insect repellent with DEET in it. Put the repellent on your skin that is not covered by clothes. The DEET in the insect repellent keeps mosquitoes from biting.

Mosquitoes lay their eggs and grow in standing water. It only takes 7 days for a mosquito egg to hatch and become an adult mosquito. To keep your home safe:

• Empty water out of buckets, old tires, flowerpots and toys.
• Change water every few days from pet bowls and bird baths.
• Keep good screens on your windows and doors.

Brought to you by Sutter Amador Hospital and Karen Woods, Director of Emergency Services and a member of the Amador County West Nile Virus Task Force.