[Taiwan] Summer tips: watch out mosquito!

[Yu Huei Chen]

*FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH CONFIRMS FIRST HUMAN DEATH OF WEST NILE IN BAY
COUNTY*

*TALLAHASSEE** ¡X* The Florida Department of Health (DOH) today confirms
Florida's first human death from West Nile (WN) viral encephalitis of 2007
in a Bay County resident. West Nile virus is transmitted by the bite of an
infected mosquito.

Symptoms of West Nile virus (WNV) infection, St. Louis Encephalitis (SLE),
and Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) may include headache, fever, fatigue,
dizziness, weakness and confusion.  Physicians should contact their county
health department if they suspect an individual may have a mosquito-borne
illness. DOH laboratories provide testing services for physicians treating
patients with clinical signs of mosquito-borne diseases.

DOH continues to advise Floridians to remain diligent in protecting
themselves from mosquito bites by following the "5 D's," which include:

    - *D*rainage ¡V Check around**** your home to rid the area of standing
      water, which is where mosquitoes can lay their eggs.
      - *D**EET* ¡V When the potential exists for exposure to
      mosquitoes, repellents containing DEET (N,N-diethyl-meta-toluamide, or
      N,N-diethyl-3-methylbenzamide) are recommended.  Picaridin and
      oil of lemon eucalyptus are other repellent options.
      - *D*ress ¡V Wear clothing that covers** most of **your skin.
      - *D*usk and* D*awn ¡V Avoid being outdoors when mosquitoes are
      most active.

   *Tips on Repellent Use** *
    - Always read label directions carefully for the approved usage
      before applying a repellent to skin.  Some repellents are not
suitable for
      children.
      - Products with concentrations of up to 30 percent DEET are
      generally recommended.  Other potential mosquito repellents, as
reported by
      the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in April
2005, contain
      picaridin or oil of lemon eucalyptus.  These products are generally
      available at local pharmacies.  Look for active ingredients to
be listed on
      the product label.
      - Apply insect repellent to exposed skin, or onto clothing, but
      not under clothing.
      - In protecting children, read label instructions to be sure the
      repellent is age-appropriate.  According to the CDC, mosquito repellents
      containing oil of lemon eucalyptus should not be used on
children under the
      age of 3 years.  DEET is not recommended on children younger
than 2 months
      old.
      - Infants should be kept indoors or mosquito netting should be
      used over carriers when mosquitoes are present.
      - Avoid applying repellents to the hands of children.* * Adults
      should apply repellent first to their own hands and then
transfer it to the
      child's skin and clothing.
      - If additional protection is necessary, apply a permethrin
      repellent directly to clothing.  Again, always follow the manufacturer's
      directions.

   *Tips on Eliminating Mosquito Breeding Sites*

   Elimination of breeding sites is one of the keys to prevention.
      - Clean out leaves, troughs and gutters.
      - Remove old tires or drill holes in those used in playgrounds
      to drain.
      - Turn over or remove empty plastic pots.
      - Pick up all beverage containers and cups.
      - Check tarps on boats or other equipment that may collect
      water.
      - Pump out bilges on boats.
      - Replace water in birdbaths and pet or other animal feeding
      dishes at least once a week.
      - Change water in plant trays, including hanging plants, at
      least once a week.
      - Remove vegetation or obstructions in drainage ditches that
      prevent the flow of water.




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