Protect against West Nile Virus

With the Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) announcing earlier this month that an individual in South Carolina was reported to be sick from West Nile virus, the first such occurrence in the 2018 mosquito season, it is important to protect yourself and your family against mosquito bites. Repellents help keep mosquitoes from biting. Apply insect repellent containing DEET according to label instructions. Make sure that your doors and windows have tight-fitting screens to keep out mosquitoes. Eliminate all sources of standing water on your property. Wearing light-colored clothing to cover the skin reduces the risk of bites. If you develop fever or other symptoms after being bitten by a mosquito, you should contact your health care provider. For more information about preventing mosquito bites and the spread of West Nile virus and other mosquito-borne illnesses, go to www.scdhec.gov/mosquitoes.