Protect yourself from West Nile virus

The mosquitoes are active, and your chances of being exposed to West Nile virus or some other communicable disease is on the rise.

Health officials in Terrebonne and Lafourche have discovered mosquitoes at various sites in our region in recent weeks that have tested positive for the West Nile virus.

That isn’t a reason to panic, but it is a good reason to taking a common-sense approach to the time you spend in the yard and how you might tidy up to improve your chances.

The mosquito control workers have sprayed insecticides more heavily in the areas where infected mosquitoes have been found. And that should be some help. But you are in the best position to determine how likely you are to be bitten.

The federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention offers the following tips, which we can all use to keep ourselves away from the bothersome insects.

• Eliminate standing water around your house that can breed mosquitoes.
• Use insect repellent that contains DEET.
• Wear long-sleeve shirts and pants when outside.
• Avoid being outside at dawn and dusk, when mosquitoes are most active.
• If you experience symptoms such as high fever, severe headache, stiff neck or disorientation, go to a doctor or hospital.

Those are good steps, particularly the first, calling for us to identify and eliminate the places where mosquitoes are likely to breed.

If you have old tires or furniture, unused flower pots or appliances sitting around your yard, you could be providing a breeding ground without even knowing it. Removing these items from your yard will not just make it harder for the insects to breed; it will likely endear you to your neighbors.

We aren’t being held hostage by these flying nuisances. In fact, most people who are exposed to West Nile never even exhibit symptoms. But it can be a threat to humans, so it just makes sense to be as cautious as we can.

And there are some cautionary tales. This year alone, West Nile has been found in 87 Louisianans – four of whom died. Of all the people who have been bitten by mosquitoes, those aren’t large numbers. But the outcomes can be dire.

We live in a place where mosquitoes are numerous. Why take extra chances when they could be spreading dangerous illnesses?

Editorials represent the opinion of the newspaper, not of any individual.