The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) suggests using an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)-registered insect repellent. Those repellents that contain DEET are best. However, do not use products with DEET on children under the age of 2 years. Also, cover infant carriers with netting.
Other products that deter mosquito bites include those with picardin or oil of lemon eucalyptus. In addition, repellents with permethrin are okay to use only on clothing. Use of permethrin should never be directly used on the skin. The CDC also notes that repellents should never be sprayed underneath clothing.
The CDC's latest report from June 27, 2006, indicates that animals and birds have been infected with the West Nile virus in 22 states, with four human cases of infections being reported in Colorado, Mississippi and Texas so far.
According to the AP, the people who are currently battling the West Nile virus infection from mosquito bites have the most severe form of it.
Since the first appearance of the infection recorded in the United States in 1999, the West Nile virus has infected approximately 1.2 to 1.3 million people within the United States, according to estimates of the CDC's specialist, Dr. Lyle Petersen.
According to press reports, most people are not aware of the illness to date, yet the virus has killed approximately 800 people across the United Stated in the last seven years. In addition, more than 8,300 people have also suffered from neurologic illnesses, encephalitis or meningitis from the infectious disease, with other individuals who have also become paralyzed from it.
Petersen stated that even the West Nile fever, which is less severe, is "really quite a horrible kind of illness."
Even Petersen himself caught the less severe form of the illness three years ago, in which he spent a week in bed and a month after that in which he was completely fatigued.
Petersen does not believe that people take the threat seriously enough and stated, "I guarantee it'll ruin your summer."
The illness poses life-threatening severity if it reaches the brain. Therefore, the CDC wants everyone to heed the warnings, recommending that residents use mosquito repellents as routinely as seat belts.
The hours from dusk to dawn are the peak biting times for many of the mosquito species.
