PRESS RELEASE

DHH Urges Residents to Protect Themselves from Gustav's Mosquitoes
Department of Health and Hospitals News Update
BATON ROUGE, La. (September 5, 2008) - The Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals is encouraging Louisiana residents to "Fight the Bite," by protecting themselves from mosquitoes and the deadly diseases they carry.

The overflowing ditches and standing water left after Hurricane Gustav can become breeding grounds for mosquitoes. Because mosquitoes can transmit diseases to humans, more mosquitoes mean that more people could become infected with mosquito-borne viruses.

Department of Health and Hospitals-Office of Public Health Assistant Secretary, M. Rony Francois M.D., MSPH, Ph.D., says it's critical that people become vigilant. "People have an important role to play in protecting themselves and their loved ones from illnesses caused by mosquitoes," said Dr. Francois.

DHH offers these tips to reduce your exposure to mosquito bites:

Dusk and dawn are peak biting times for many mosquitoes. Consider rescheduling outdoor activities that occur during evening or early morning.

Wear long-sleeves, long pants and socks when outdoors to help keep mosquitoes away from your skin.
Use an effective insect repellent while outdoors. Use a repellent with DEET (N, N-diethyl-m-toluamide), permethrin, picaridin (KBR 3023), oil of lemon eucalyptus [p-methane 3, 8-diol (PMD)] or IR3535 according to the instructions on the product label. DEET products should not be used on infants under two months of age ! and should be used in concentrations of 30% or less on older children. Oil of lemon eucalyptus should not be used on children under three years of age.

Because mosquitoes lay their eggs in standing water, limiting the number of places around your home for mosquitoes to breed can help reduce the population. Drain or discard items that hold water. Clear rain gutters and drains of leaves and debris. Empty any container in your yard holding water.

Keep mosquitoes outside by mosquito-proofing your home. Make sure all your doors and windows are tight-fitting or and install screens on all your windows.

For the latest on Hurricane Gustav, you can visit emergency.louisiana.gov or call the state's emergency hotline at 1-866-288-2484 to listen to a recorded message with the most up-to-date information.

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