About Highlands Ranch, Colorado - Never too early to take precautions against West Nile Virus

Never too early to take precautions against West Nile Virus

With the warmer weather here, it is not too early to take precautions against the West Nile virus.

The West Nile virus is a mosquito-borne disease that can cause a potentially serious illness in humans. Mosquitoes spread this virus after they feed on infected birds and then bite people, other birds and animals. The disease among birds has spread into at least the lower 48 United States.

While most human West Nile infections in Colorado usually occur in late summer and early fall, humans can become infected with the virus much earlier in the season. Even now in April some Mosquitoes are already out there.

Therefore for the citizens in Highlands Ranch it's not too early to start preventing mosquito breeding and to start taking precautions to prevent mosquito bites. What can you do? What do you need to know?

Apply insect repellent to exposed skin. Generally, the the more active ingredient a repellent contains the longer it can protect you from mosquito bites. A higher percentage of active ingredient in a repellent does not mean that your protection is better—just that it will last longer.
When weather permits, wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants whenever you are outdoors.
Place mosquito netting over infant carriers when you are outdoors with infants.
Install or repair window and door screens so that mosquitoes cannot get indoors.
At least once or twice a week, empty water from flower pots, pet food and water dishes, birdbaths, swimming pool covers, buckets, barrels, and cans.