Mosquitoes: what's all the buzz-buzz about? Published Aug. 12, 2010 By Senior Airman 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 extremely important that people protect themselves and family members while outdoors. The Gulf Coast climate is well suited for mosquitoes to include the species capable of transmitting West 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 then 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 feeds (bites). Currently there has been at least one confirmed case of West Nile Virus in the state of Mississippi. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has also issued an alert to the Gulf Coast region due to the recent deaths of two individuals caused by EEE. Here are some ways people can protect themselves from mosquitoes while outdoors and ways to reduce breeding areas around the home: Stay indoors at dawn, dusk, and in the early evening. Wear long-sleeved shirts and pants whenever outdoors. Apply insect repellent sparingly to exposed skin. An effective repellent will contain 20 to 35 percent DEET. In high concentrations (greater than 35 percent), DEET may cause side effects, particularly in children. Avoid products containing more than 35 percent DEET. Repellents may irritate the eyes and mouth, so avoid applying repellent to the hands of children. Insect repellants should not be applied to children younger 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, be sure to read and follow the manufacturer's directions for use printed on the product. Remove standing water around the 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. Yellow "bug" lights attract fewer mosquitoes and other flying insects to the door, reducing the number of uninvited guests in the home. 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 log on to the Mississippi Department of Health website, www.healthyms.com, or the Centers for Disease Control website, www.cdc.gov.