Alabama, Reduce your exposure to mosquitoes after Hurricane Isaac (Health Dpt., September 4 2012)

[Giuseppe]

[Source: Alabama Department of Health, full PDF document: (LINK). Edited.]


NEWS RELEASE / ALABAMA DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH, RSA Tower 201 Monroe Street, Suite 914 Montgomery, AL 36104, Phone 334-206-5300 Fax 334-206-5534 - www.adph.org

Reduce your exposure to mosquitoes after Hurricane Isaac

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE / CONTACT: Dee W. Jones, D.V.M., (800) 201-8208



The Alabama Department of Public Health advises caution to protect against mosquito-borne illnesses during the recovery phase after Hurricane Isaac. Mosquitoes can transmit viruses such as West Nile and Eastern Equine Encephalitis that can infect people.

Massive amounts of rainfall from a tropical storm system may create an environment for mosquito populations to flourish; thereby posing a risk to those who are working outdoors during the recovery phase.

The following recommendations are urged for people to minimize mosquito exposure.

• Stay indoors if possible, especially during the dusk and dawn hours, when mosquitoes are most active.
• If you go out during the dusk and dawn hours, wear light-colored, tightly woven, loose clothing, and insect repellent.
• Wear enough insect repellent to cover skin and clothes that contain one of the following EPA registered ingredients: DEET, Picaridin, Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus/PMD or IR3535:
  • Contact your health care provider with concerns about repellents.
  • Do not use repellents under clothing.
  • Never use repellents over cuts, wounds or irritated skin.
  • Spray repellent on hands first and then apply it on children and faces. Do not apply to eyes, mouth, and apply sparingly around ears.
  • After returning indoors, wash treated skin and clothes with soap and water.
• Keep window and door screens shut and in good condition. Repair holes.
• Inspect your yard for places a mosquito could use to breed. Eliminate breeding sites.
  • Dispose of containers that collect water, like buckets, cans, bottles and jars.
  • Repair leaky pipes and outside faucets, unclog drains and gutters.
  • Empty and scrub birdbaths, pet bowls and animal troughs to get rid of mosquito eggs.
  • Dispose of unused tires. Overturn or store under cover wheelbarrows, tubs, wading pools when not in use.
  • Keep weeds, vines and grass trimmed.
  • Fill tree holes with sand or mortar.
  • hange water in flower vases and pots twice weekly.

More information is available at adph.org and at cdc.gov and typing Arboviral in the SEARCH box.

-30- 9/4/12



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