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Local mosquito spray company gives tips on how to protect yourself, others from West Nile virus
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(KLFY)-- The Louisiana Department of Health is urging the public to take precautions against mosquitos that could contain the West Nile virus.
Jeremy Melancon, with the Mosquito Squad, said the first case of West Nile was found in Louisiana in 2001. Symptoms of the West Nile virus include fever, muscle aches, rash, nausea and vomiting. Melancon said the first step in controlling mosquitoes is keeping your grass cut.
"Anything that has standing water is where your mosquitos are going to breed," Melancon said. "One of the biggest things that we see is cutting your grass, if you keep your grass nice and trimmed and short, the mosquitoes won't have a place to harbor."
Melancon said leaving debris in your yard can also attract mosquitoes.
"They'll actually just go in there, and they'll just harbor and hang around, so the best thing to do is just get that out your yard," Melancon said.
Other prevention tips of West Nile virus include using insect repellent and wearing long-sleeved shirts and pants. He said there are a huge amount of cases that occur in the United States every year.
"They'll have probably on average about 2500 cases throughout the United States of West Nile, 10 percent of those are fatal, on average, so it is super important to get rid of mosquitoes," Melancon said.