Published 12 October 2017
Buckie Got It, St. Kitts and Nevis News Source
Prqevention of Mosquito bites and Mosquito-borne diseases
Since the passage of the storms, you would have noticed an increase in the number of mosquitoes. This is due to the increase in breeding sites. There has been some work by the local public health and environmental agency to have communities sprayed, you too need to do your part to safeguard yourself and your pets. Mosquito bites are bothersome enough, but when you consider risks, like getting sick with Zika, dengue, or chikungunya, it’s important that you choose an insect repellent that works well and that you feel comfortable regularly using.
Use insect repellent: Use an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)-registered insect repellent with one of the following active ingredients. When used as directed, EPA-registered insect repellents are proven safe and effective, even for pregnant and breastfeeding women:
• DEET
• Picaridin, also known as KBR 3023, Bayrepel, and icaridin
• Oil of lemon eucalyptus (OLE) or para-menthane-diol (PMD)
• Cover up: Wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants.
• Keep mosquitoes outside: Stay in places with air conditioning or that use window and door screens. If you are not able to protect yourself from mosquitoes inside your home, sleep under a mosquito bed net.
