West Nile Cases Decline

As of last Tuesday, 23 cases of West Nile virus had been reported to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.  Three people had died from the illness. Last year there were 5,674 cases and 286 deaths.
 
And in Missouri, no cases have been reported so far this year.  2012 saw 20 cases of West Nile and three deaths.
 
Kendra Findley, administrator of community health and epidemiology with the Springfield-Greene County Health Department, said it's pretty simple to protect yourself from insect-borne diseases.  First, look at your environment and get rid of any standing water.
 
"So, we're talking about if you have bird baths or some area within your yard or around your yard that tends to accumulate water,” Findley said. “You want to get rid of that, so if it's extra planting pots or vessels in the yard, turn those over so they can't collect water. If you have a bird bath, be sure to replace that water on a regular basis. Mosquitoes need standing water to replicate.”
 
If you have outside pets change their water frequently. Findley says larvicide products can be used for large bodies of water that will kill mosquito larvae without harming the environment.
 
Mosquitoes are most active at dawn and dusk, she said, so if you have to go outside during those times, use an insect spray containing DEET.