How to avoid West Nile virus in Clark County

Credit: DaytonDailyNews

The best way to avoid the West Nile virus is to prevent mosquito bites, according to the Clark County Combined Health District (CCCHD).

The CCCHD advises residents to prevent mosquito bites by following these three words: AVOID, PLAN, STOP.

AVOID: 

Apply repellents registered with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to exposed skin.

Wear long sleeves or long pants when going outdoors.

Consider staying indoors as much as possible.

PLAN: 

Keep repellent and long shirts/pants on hand.

Do outdoor activities at times when mosquito activity is low.

If traveling, check for travel advisories.

STOP: 

Check screens on windows and doors for holes or rips.

Use air conditioning instead of opening windows.

Get rid of mosquito breeding sites near standing water.

RELATED: Third sample of mosquitoes test positive for West Nile in Clark County

The EPA offers additional tips:

Remove mosquito habitats by keeping swimming pool water treated and circulated, emptying and changing  water in bird baths, and eliminating standing water.

Use appropriate pesticides to control mosquito habitats.

Cover baby carriers with netting.

Replace outdoor lights with yellow “bug” lights to attract less mosquitoes.

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