Preventing West Nile Virus

According to the DuPage Health Department, the best way to prevent West Nile Virus is to avoid mosquito bites and follow the four Ds of defense:

• Drain: Drain those items that collect standing water around homes, yards or businesses. Scrub and refill pet water dishes and bird baths regularly.
• Defend: Use an insect repellent containing DEET when outdoors and reapply according to directions.
• Dress: Wear long pants, long sleeves and closed-toe shoes when outside to cover the skin.
• Dusk and Dawn: Wear repellent outdoors during these prime times for mosquito activity.

To help DuPage County residents protect themselves against West Nile virus (WNV), the DuPage County Health Department has created a Personal Protection Index (PPI) that will provide the amount of WNV activity in the county as well as prevention steps that are recommended.

Click to view the many resources available to “Fight the Bite.”