Mosquitoes: what's all the buzz, buzz about? Published June 23, 2011 By Staff Sgt. Carlina Moreland 81st Aerospace Medicine Squadron KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. -- Mosquito bites are often thought of as annoying and irritating. People rarely correlate the possibility of contracting a potentially fatal disease with being bitten by a mosquito. Although the panic of vector borne diseases such as West Nile virus and eastern equine encephalitis has subsided, it's important that people protect themselves and their families while outdoors. The climate on the Gulf Coast is well suited for mosquitoes to include the species capable of transmittingWest Nile virus and EEE. Vector-borne diseases transmitted by mosquitoes occur when they feed on infected animals such as birds or horses. After an incubation period of 10 days to two weeks, infected mosquitoes can transmit the virus to humans and animals. Since the virus is located in the mosquito's salivary glands, the virus is then injected into the animal or human when the mosquito bites to feed. So far this year, there's been at least one confirmed case of West Nile Virus in Mississippi. Here are ways people can protect themselves from mosquitoes while outdoors and ways to reduce breeding areas around the home. Prevention measures The risk of being bitten by mosquitoes can be reduced by taking the following precautions: Stay indoors at dawn, dusk and in the early evening. Wear long-sleeved shirts and pants whenever you are outdoors. Apply insect repellent sparingly to exposed skin. An effective repellent will contain 20 to 35 percent N-diethylmeta-toluamide. DEET in concentrations greater than 35 percent may cause side effects, particularly in children, so they should be avoided. Repellents may irritate the eyes and mouth, so avoid applying repellent to the hands of children. (Insect repellants shouldn't be applied to children less than 3 years old). Spray clothing with repellents containing permethrin or DEET, as mosquitoes may bite through thin clothing. Whenever using an insecticide or insect repellent, read and follow the manufacturer's directions for use printed on the product. To limit breeding areas Remove standing water around your home. Pay special attention to any containers that may collect water such as buckets or flower pots and store them in a manner that would not allow water to accumulate in them. Install and use yellow "bug" lights at exterior door entrances, including garage and carport areas. These lights will attract fewer mosquitoes and other flying insects to your door, reducing the number of uninvited guest in your home or office. Vitamin B, "ultrasonic" devices and "bug zappers" aren't effective in preventing mosquito bites or controlling mosquitoes. For more information, call public health, 376-3163, or visit the Mississippi Department of Health Web site, http://healthyms.com, or the Centers for Disease Control Web site, www.cdc.gov.