Q. What can I do to reduce my risk of becoming infected with West Nile virus?
A.Here are preventive measures that you and your family can take:

• Apply insect repellent sparingly to exposed skin. The more DEET a repellent contains the longer time it can protect you from mosquito bites. A higher percentage of DEET in a repellent does not mean that your protection is better-just that it will last longer. DEET concentrations higher than 50% do not increase the length of protection. Choose a repellent that provides protection for the amount of time that you will be outdoors.



• Repellents may irritate the eyes and mouth, so avoid applying repellent to the hands of children.



• Whenever you use an insecticide or insect repellent, be sure to read and follow the manufacturer's DIRECTIONS FOR USE, as printed on the product.



• Spray clothing with repellents containing permethrin or DEET since mosquitoes may bite through thin clothing. Do not apply repellents containing permethrin directly to exposed skin. If you spray your clothing, there is no need to spray repellent containing DEET on the skin under your clothing.



• When possible, wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants whenever you are outdoors.



• Place mosquito netting over infant carriers when you are outdoors with infants.



• Consider staying indoors at dawn, dusk, and in the early evening, which are peak mosquito biting times.



• 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.



• Check for clogged rain gutters and clean them out.



• Remove discarded tires, and other items that could collect water.



• Be sure to check for containers or trash in places that may be hard to see, such as under bushes or under your home.

Q. What can be done to prevent outbreaks of West Nile virus?
A. Prevention and control of West Nile virus and other arboviral diseases is most effectively accomplished through integrated vector management programs. These programs should include surveillance for West Nile virus activity in mosquito vectors, birds, horses, other animals, and humans, and implementation of appropriate mosquito control measures to reduce mosquito populations when necessary. Additionally, when virus activity is detected in an area, residents should be alerted and advised to increase measures to reduce contact with mosquitoes.

Q. Is there a vaccine against West Nile encephalitis?
A.No, but several companies are working towards developing a vaccine.

Q. Where can I get information about the use of pesticide sprays that are being used for mosquito control?
A.The federal agency responsible for pesticide evaluation is the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). See the EPA Web site for detailed answers to the questions about pesticides used for mosquito control.