Dr. Michael

Brackett, District Four Health Director, advises that persons can help

reduce the risk of being exposed to West Nile virus by taking precautions

to remove standing water where mosquitoes might breed from around their

homes and worksites and increasing their personal protection against mosquitoes

as follows:

Reduce your

time spent outdoors when mosquitoes are most active. Wear pants, long

sleeves, shoes, and socks when you are outdoors while mosquitoes are active.

Use a mosquito

repellent that contains DEET on exposed skin. For children, consult your

pediatrician or use products thatcontain less than 10 percent DEET. Do

not apply to the hands of children. For adults use products that contain

no more that 30 percent DEET. DO NOT use DEET on infants or pregnant women.

Carefully read and follow directions on the container and wash treated

skin with soap and water when mosquito exposure has ended.

Make sure

your home and porch have tight-fitting screens that keep mosquitoes out.

Properly throw

away or destroy old tires that can hold small amounts of water that allows

mosquitoes to breed.

Dispose of

tin cans, jars, plant pots, and any other containers that can also hold

water.

Make sure

roof gutters drain properly. Clean clogged gutters in the spring and fall.

Store wheelbarrows,

tubs, buckets, barrels, and boats upside down so that water cannot accumulate

in them.

Change the

water in birdbaths, small wading pools, ornamental ponds and pet dishes

at least once a week.

Properly chlorinate

backyard swimming pools. Cover any pool that is not in use so rainwater

and leaves do not accumulate in it. Be sure the cover does not hold pockets

of water.

If you find

a dead Crow, Bluejay, or bird of prey without any sign of decay or trauma

and want it tested, use a glove or shovel to place it in a plastic bag

and double bag it. Wrap each bird separately if there is more than one.

If collected on Friday, Saturday, or Sunday, the bird must be refrigerated

until Monday A.M. Citizens need to bring birds to the Environmental Health

Office, but are asked to call ahead of time to make sure the specimen

can be shipped.

If there is

a large bird kill please notify the Coweta County Health Department so

that officials can collect needed specimens.

Please note

that Coweta County Environmental Health will be reducing its bird testing

in 2003 due to the fact that a mosquito testing program is starting. Traps

will be set to catch the mosquitoes with those traps then being sent off

to be tested.

Individuals

are asked not to bring any mosquitoes to the Coweta County Environmental

Health Office.

You can contact

the Coweta County Environmental Health Department at 770-254-7422.