Story originally printed in the La Crosse Tribune or online at www.lacrossetribune.com
Published - Wednesday, July 23, 2008
5 things you can do to prevent encephalitis and West Nile virus
Dave Geske knows the power of prevention and education when it comes to La Crosse encephalitis and the West Nile virus.
The La Crosse County Health Department mosquito control officer said prevention, education and a multi-county mosquito control program based in La Crosse County have played a major role in reducing the number of encephalitis cases in the area by 90 percent during the past 30 years.
Geske said his mosquito control budget has been stretched and his efforts challenged this summer by heavy rain and flooding. But until the recent hot, humid weather, disease-carrying mosquitoes weren’t moving much, he said.
“Now there is so much water and there are so many mosquitoes and the weather is just right — hot and humid,” Geske said. “We’re trying to stay on top of it, but it’s a tough battle.”
Geske said now is the time for people to be vigilant about prevention and education. He said he has seen plenty of disease-carrying mosquitoes already and the peak months are August and September.
No encephalitis or West Nile cases have been reported in the area so far this year.
Nationwide, 28 West Nile cases have been recorded so far.
Geske said if everyone followed five steps, there would no encephalitis or West Nile cases. Here’s what you can do:
1 Keep no artificial, man-made habitat — tires, containers, boats, wading pools and bird baths — with standing water in your environment. Dump the water. Keep containers inside. Ensure roof rain gutters drain properly. Water can accumulate on tarps. Make sure there is no standing water in your yard. If you have tree holes, fill them with concrete to prevent water from building up.
2 Use mosquito repellents containing DEET and always follow the label directions. Use especially in late afternoon and early evening when mosquitoes are active.
3 Do not use colognes or after-shave lotions, which can attract mosquitoes. If walking through a woodland area, wear long-sleeved shirts and pants.
4 Mosquito-proof your home. Fix window screens in disrepair. Mosquitoes are attracted to lights and heat in the home.
5 Report clogged storm sewers and ditches holding water. Quiet, long-term ponded areas with 11/2 inches or less of water are perfect breeding places for mosquitoes that carry encephalitis and West Nile. Report these areas to the La Crosse County Health Department at (608) 785-9872.
Terry Rindfleisch can be reached at trindfleisch@lacrossetribune.com or (608) 791-8227.
Hot Spots
In more than 30 years as mos-quito control officer for La Crosse County, Dave Geske has identified hot spots for La Crosse encephalitis-carrying mosquitoes, and for culex mosquitoes carrying West Nile virus. Geske’s top 10 hot spots for disease-carrying mosquitoes in the area:
Town of Shelby
West Salem
Viroqua area
De Soto
Houston County, especially Hokah, La Crescent and Caledonia
Winona and Whitewater State Park
Dakota and Nodine, Minn.
Steuben-Wauzeka area in Crawford County
Onalaska
Boscobel
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