RACINE, Wis., July 30 /PRNewswire/ — Summer’s hot, humid temperatures can bring mosquitoes that potentially carry deadly diseases like West Nile Virus. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), West Nile Virus caused at least 177 fatalities in 2006(1). This year, families across the country are urged to take proper steps to protect themselves.
“Though few mosquitoes carry the West Nile Virus, an infective bite can be fatal,” says Kelly Semrau, vice president of Global Public Affairs and Communication for SC Johnson. “Protection can be as easy as applying an insect repellent with DEET or Picaridin.”
Protect Yourself, Protect Your Family
West Nile Virus is transmitted from mosquitoes to humans and is particularly dangerous to the elderly and to people with compromised immune systems. According to the CDC and other sources, the following preventative measures can help ensure protection from mosquito bites:
— Use Insect Repellent. Apply an insect repellent with DEET. OFF!(R)
personal insect repellents, including new OFF!(R) FamilyCare Smooth &
Dry, offer a range of products with varying levels of protection to
meet individual needs.— Break-Up Breeding. Empty all standing water from flower pots, buckets,
pet dishes and children’s wading pools to help decrease places where
mosquitoes rest and breed.— Take Cover. Wear long-sleeved shirts and pants that cover exposed skin
to help reduce mosquito bites.— Avoid Prime Biting Times. Avoid the outdoors during peak times for
mosquitoes, including dusk, dawn, nighttime, and periods of heavy cloud
cover and humidity.— Add Protection. Make sure all shirts have wrist closures and tuck pant
legs into socks. Also spray a DEET-based repellent on your shoes and
clothing to help fend off mosquitoes.— Monitor Mosquito Alerts. Watch for public advisories concerning
encephalitis alerts.Know the Symptoms
The early stages of the West Nile Virus may include symptoms like severe headaches, fever, nausea and vomiting, disorientation, chills and muscle aches. These symptoms will usually appear five to 15 days after the bite from an infected mosquito. A person should seek immediate medical attention if experiencing more than one of these symptoms.
First found in the United States in 1999, West Nile Virus has been reported in 45 states. To learn more about West Nile Virus and how to protect against it, log on to http://www.offprotects.com/.
SC Johnson is a family-owned and -managed business dedicated to innovative, high-quality products, excellence in the workplace and a long-term commitment to the environment and the communities in which it operates. Based in the USA, the company is one of the world’s leading manufacturers of household cleaning products and products for home storage, air care, personal care and insect control. It markets such well-known brands as EDGE(R), GLADE(R), OFF! (R), PLEDGE(R), RAID(R), SCRUBBING BUBBLES(R), SHOUT(R), WINDEX(R) and ZIPLOC(R) in the U.S. and beyond, with brands marketed outside the U.S. including AUTAN(R), BAYGON(R), BRISE(R), ECHO(R), KABIKILLER(R), KLEAR(R), and MR. MUSCLE(R). The 121-year old company, with $7 billion in sales, employs approximately 12,000 people globally and sells products in more than 110 countries. http://www.scjohnson.com/
