Fight the Bite! Prevent Mosquito-borne Diseases

Mosquito activity increases as temperatures rise, and April marks the beginning of mosquito season in Ohio, a good time for a refresher on some safety tips from the Ohio Department of Health (ODH) Zoonotic Disease Program.

"At first, a mosquito bite may just seem like an annoying, itchy bump, but a bigger concern is the risk of mosquito-borne disease, which lasts long after the itching stops," warns Dr. Richard Gary Jr., State Public Health Entomologist and chief of the Zoonotic Disease Program.

Mosquito-borne diseases -such as the West Nile virus, Zika, La Crosse, and malaria- pass from mosquitoes to humans through bites. The best way to prevent mosquito-borne diseases is to avoid mosquito bites, stop mosquito breeding, and plan ahead when traveling or spending time outdoors.

Dr. Gary and his team offer the guidance below to keep you and your family safe over the warm months ahead.

How to Avoid Mosquito Bites

A few things to help you avoid mosquito bites:

• Insect repellent - Apply U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)-registered insect repellents on exposed skin. EPA-registered insect repellents are safe and effective for everyone 5 months and older. You don't need to spray skin that is covered by clothing.
• Protective clothing - Light-colored clothing with full arm and leg coverage is the best to wear to prevent mosquito bites. You can also treat your clothing with permethrin or another EPA-registered repellent for an extra layer of protection. It's important to follow the label instructions if you are treating your clothing with an insect repellent.
• Avoiding peak hours - Mosquitoes are most active in the mornings, late afternoons, and evenings. Avoiding outdoor activity during these times may help avoid mosquito bites.
• Use netting - Repair holes in window screens and screen doors to prevent mosquitoes from entering your home or patio. Sleep under mosquito netting if you are sleeping outdoors or in an unscreened structure.

How to Stop Mosquito Breeding

Preventing mosquito breeding in and around your home reduces the number of mosquitoes in your environment and lowers the risk of bites. Mosquitoes lay eggs in stagnant water. You can prevent breeding by regularly dumping any standing water in your environment. Tips to prevent mosquito breeding include:

• Regularly empty water from flowerpots, buckets, barrels, tarps, covers, outdoor toys, trash containers, kiddie pools, and wheelbarrows.
• Change water in pet bowls and birdbaths at least once a week.
• Check your gutters every year and clear any clogs for proper drainage.
• Don't leave old tires sitting around - dispose of old tires properly and drill holes in tire swings to drain water. (For more information, visit the Ohio EPA's Scrap Tires webpage.)
• Take care of outdoor bodies of water.
  • Aerate ornamental pools, fountains, and ponds, or stock them with mosquito-eating fish, or treat them with products containing larvicides.
  • Clean and use chlorine in swimming pools, even if they aren't being used.
  • Empty children's wading pools and turn them on their side after each use.

Plan for Travel

International travel increases the risk of exposure to viruses that aren't common in the U.S. When planning an international trip, keep the following in mind:

• Before you travel, check CDC's Travelers' Health webpage for important health notices. This tool provides you with geographically relevant information on mosquito-borne diseases and other health concerns.
• Speak to your healthcare provider at least one month before your trip. Ask them about recommended or required vaccines, and if there are any precautions to take while traveling.
• If you're traveling to an area with an elevated risk for mosquito-borne diseases, protect yourself by bringing appropriate EPA-registered repellents, protective clothing, and mosquito netting.

Protecting Ohioans

The Ohio Department of Health Public Health Laboratory and the ODH Zoonotic Disease Program work with local public health partners and sanitary districts to conduct statewide mosquito-borne disease surveillance, monitoring both human and animal cases. Mosquito surveillance helps to identify significant breeding grounds, detect the presence of mosquito-borne disease, monitor population sizes, and more.

"While most mosquito bites won't transmit disease, you never know which one will," said Dr. Gary. "That's why it's so important to practice these prevention measures."

For more information, visit the following ODH webpages: