530-993-4379
Sierra Booster
  • Home
  • Newspaper
    • Latest News
    • Letters to the Editor >
      • Submit Letter to the Editor
    • Old News Archive
    • Photo Tour
    • Events
    • About Us
    • SUBSCRIBE
  • Advertiser Directory
    • Advertiser Press Releases
    • Website Sponsors
    • Advertiser Area
  • Buy Ads - Services
  • Fishing Report
  • Contact Us
  • Admin Log In

Zika Reinforces The Importance of Insect Repellent

6/14/2016

0 Comments

 


WASHINGTON —  The Zika virus has been identified in many locations, including reported cases here in the United States. The virus — which is specifically dangerous for pregnant women where it can lead to birth defects in infants — has been identified in at least 35 countries or territories in the Americas.  Additionally, there have been more than 350 travel-related cases reported in the United States. For the latest information on Zika go to: https://www.acep.org/zika/.  


While Zika is understandably in the news right now, the nation’s emergency physicians warn that there are also other, very dangerous, insect-borne illnesses here in the United States that we need to protect ourselves from this summer.


“There are many mosquito-borne or tick illnesses, including several viruses that cause encephalitis, West Nile and Lyme disease, that Americans can’t forget about and must protect themselves from this summer,” said Jay Kaplan, MD, FACEP, president of the American College of Emergency Physicians. “Taking protective measures when going outside is the best way to stay safe.” 


The easiest and most effective way to avoid getting a mosquito-borne or tick-borne illness is obviously to prevent these insects from biting you.


Insect Repellents


  • When you are outside, use insect repellent (bug spray) that contains an EPA-registered active ingredient, such as DEET.
  • Never use DEET on infants under 2 months old, but the CDC says most insect repellents can be used on children older than 2 months. 
  • Young children should not apply DEET on themselves, and adults must not apply to their hands, eyes or mouth areas or on any wounds.  Check with your child’s pediatrician if you have any questions.


Proper Clothing


  • Mosquitos are most active when it is darker, such as during dawn or dusk.  Wear long sleeves and pants during that time or consider staying indoors during those hours.
  • Sleep under a mosquito net when you are in an “at risk” location, such as outdoors at a campsite.
  • Consider purchasing pre-treated clothing for travel.
  • Check your head, body and clothes for ticks if you’ve been outside, especially in wooded areas.


Prevention Around The House


  • Put screens on any windows or sliding doors to keep mosquitos out.
  • Get rid of standing water near your house or in your lawn, such as puddles, flower pots, buckets, barrels and child waiting pools when they are not in use.  These are mosquito breeding sites.  Keep fountain waters flowing if possible and maintain clean gutters around your property.
  • Don’t handle dead birds.  Mosquitos become infected when they feed on infected birds.  Contact your local health department for instructions on reporting and disposing of dead birds.


As always, take precautions and go to your doctor or the nearest emergency department to get checked out if you feel you have the symptoms of a medical emergency.  


ACEP is the national medical specialty society representing emergency medicine. ACEP is committed to advancing emergency care through continuing education, research and public education. Headquartered in Dallas, Texas, ACEP has 53 chapters representing each state, as well as Puerto Rico and the District of Columbia. A Government Services Chapter represents emergency physicians employed by military branches and other government agencies. 
0 Comments



Leave a Reply.

    Archives

    January 2023
    December 2022
    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    April 2014
    September 2009

    Categories

    All
    2015
    Sierra County News

    RSS Feed

    Vie
    ​w Old News

CONTACT US:

Sierra Booster Newspaper
PO Box 8
Loyalton, CA 96118
Phone: 530-993-4379
Fax: 844-272-8583
Email: jbuck@psln.com

Website Privacy Policy​
Picture
Local Weather
©Copyright Sierra Booster - Sierra County News - Editorial
Website by Chamber Nation