The only treatment available for West Nile virus (WNV) is prevention.
Because WNV can cause such a debilitating illness in 20% of those infected, and no treatment is currently available, everyone should take precautions to prevent being bitten by mosquitoes.
Follow the Four D’s when mosquitoes are most active (June through September) to help reduce the risk of being infected with WNV.
Use insect repellant that contains at least 10% DEET. If outside during evening, nighttime, and dawn hours, consider the use of an insect repellant containing 10% to 30% DEET (N, N-diethyl- methyl-meta-toluamide). Products with concentrations around 10% are effective for periods of approximately two hours.
Use DEET according to manufacturer’s directions:
Dress in long sleeves and long pants. If outside during evening, nighttime, and dawn hours when mosquitoes are most active and likely to bite, children and adults should wear protective clothing such as long pants, long-sleeved shirts, and socks.
Reduce or eliminate outdoor activity between dusk and dawn.
Make sure windows are closed or screened.
Most mosquito species are actively searching for a blood meal in the evening hours from just before dark until 2 to 3 hours after dark. During the daytime the females normally rest in cooler vegetated areas where the humidity is higher and they are protected from drying out. Females will often bite in the daytime if humans or animals invade the wooded areas where they are resting.
Make sure to drain standing water around your home.
Learn more about preventing mosquitoes on your property.
