Preparedness is essential to prevention and staff encourages residents to prepare themselves by following the 4 D's:
DUSK/DAWN: are the times of day you should try to stay indoors. This is when infected mosquitoes are most active;
DRESS: in long sleeves, pants, loose and light-colored clothing when outside. For extra protection, you may want to spray thin clothing with repellent;
DEFEND: yourself by using an insect repellent that contains DEET, Picaridin or Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus. Follow label instructions and reapply as you would with sunscreen, after sweating and swimming; and
DRAIN: standing water in your backyard and neighborhood. Make sure that flower pots, water dishes, bird baths and wading pools are properly drained.
In the event you get a mosquito bite, experts recommend these first-aid procedures:
- Wash the bite with soap and water
- Apply anti-itch cream or use calamine lotion or oatmeal bath for itching
- Place an ice pack to reduce any swelling
- Seek medical attention immediately if you experience dizziness, swelling of lips and throat or difficulty breathing.
