County Offers Tips on Preventing Lyme Disease and West Nile Virus

[News Hound]

With the recent discovery of two West Nile virus-positive mosquitoes in Gaithersburg and the growing incidence of Lyme disease, County health officials are encouraging residents to protect themselves from these illnesses by taking simple precautions.

West Nile Virus is transmitted to humans, birds and other mammals by mosquitoes that feed on infected birds. The virus can cause a range of illnesses – from mild flu-like symptoms to encephalitis, a brain infection and even death. Many people, however, can be infected and have no symptoms at all.

Getting rid of places where mosquitoes breed is the most important prevention measure to take, according to health officials who offer the following tips:

• Eliminate standing water where mosquitoes breed. Remove or empty all sources of standing water around the house and yard. Discard used tires, clean roof gutters and down-spout screens, eliminate standing water on flat roofs, tu ...more


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