West Nile Virus;Fight The Bite

WEST NILE ALRERT ISSUED FOR EASTERN HARRISON COUNTY

 

ATTENTION WEST NILE ALERT

 

                                                                            

There have been several confirmed human cases of West Nile Virus (mosquito borne illnesses) in your area of Harrison County.

 

Please be aware of this and take precautions to help reduce the number of cases in the immediate future in you area. Following some of these simple suggestions will help everyone in the community:

 

          * Limit outdoor activities during early morning hours, late evening and after dark.

 

          * If you must be out during these hours wear light colored long sleeve shirts and long pants.

 

* Use screens on open windows and doors.

 

* When you are outdoors, use insect repellent containing an EPA registered active ingredient. Follow the directions on the package.

 

* Watch and listen to health department alerts and warnings about mosquito disease outbreaks.

 

            * We will continue to monitor the situation and spray as we have been doing along with trapping and testing of mosquitoes throughout the entire county.

           

            * If we can be of any more assistance, feel free to contact us at:

Harrison County Mosquito Control

Phone 228-896-0409

 

West Nile virus is spread by infected mosquitoes, and can cause serious, life-altering and even fatal disease. Get outside and enjoy the summer, but remember that mosquitoes carrying West Nile virus are on the wing, so apply a mosquito repellent when you’re outdoors, especially from dusk to dawn. Check around your yard and dump out standing water where mosquitoes can lay their eggs, too.

  • Use Mosquito Repellent
  • Eliminate standing water where mosquitoes can lay eggs
  • Install or Repair Window and Door Screens
  • Support Community-Based Mosquito Control

 

When dealing with West Nile virus, prevention is your best bet. Fighting mosquito bites reduces your risk of getting this disease, along with others that mosquitoes can carry. Take the commonsense steps below to reduce your risk:

  • avoid bites and illness;
  • clean out the mosquitoes from the places where you work and play;
  • help your community control the disease.

Something to remember: The chance that any one person is going to become ill from a single mosquito bite remains low. The risk of severe illness and death is highest for people over 50 years old, although people of all ages can become ill.

How do you know if you have a mosquito-borne viral disease?

All mosquitoes do not have a virus in them, but the more mosquito bites you get, the greater your risk of catching a disease. Most cases of mosquito-borne disease occur between April and October when mosquito populations are highest. Most people who get bitten by an infected mosquito never get sick, but rather just feel like they have the flu for a few days. In more serious cases, symptoms of mosquito-borne diseases occur four to 10 days after being bitten by an infected mosquito. Illness can begin with fever, headache, muscle aches, nausea or vomiting, and may progress to seizures, paralysis, coma and possibly death. Persons who survive can suffer permanent health effects such as memory loss, paralysis,or personality changes.

For more information visit: www.msdh.ms.gov