PIERRE, S.D. - The South Dakota Division of Parks and Recreation is taking steps to reduce visitor contact with mosquitoes through a public awareness campaign of informational leaflets, magnets and posters.
“The best prevention is to become knowledgeable on the subject,” says Doug Hofer, director of the Division of Parks and Recreation. “By implementing just a few steps to decrease personal contact with mosquitoes, we can make outdoor experiences much more enjoyable this summer.”
To help educate the public, materials such as informational bookmarks, magnets and kids’ coloring sheets are available at state park entrance booths. Posters have been posted on park bulletin boards. These materials, provided by the South Dakota Department of Health, contain information on mosquitoes, West Nile Virus and tips for decreasing contact with mosquitoes.
The Division of Parks and Recreation is also taking steps to decrease the number of mosquitoes in the area by treating stagnant water with larvaecide and eliminating other areas of standing water.
“These steps help to reduce the mosquito population of an area, but personal prevention is the most effective,” says Hofer.
To prevent mosquito bites, the South Dakota Department of Health suggests the following steps:
When outdoors, use mosquito repellent containing DEET, according to directions.
Spray repellent on both skin and clothes, but avoid applying repellent to the hands of children, as it may irritate the eyes and mouth.
Wear light colored long-sleeve shirts and pants.
Be aware that mosquitoes are most active between dusk and dawn and when the air is calm.
West Nile Virus disease is a mosquito-borne infection that can cause a mild flu-like illness or, in a small number of cases, severe encephalitis. It was first identified in South Dakota in 2002 and is transmitted to humans only through a bite from an infected mosquito. Animals can become infected, but can not pass it on to humans, nor is it acquired from person-to-person.
For more information on mosquitoes and West Nile Virus, visit the Department of Health’s website at www.state.sd.us/doh. Information on South Dakota state parks can be found online at www.sdgfp.info/parks or by calling the division office at 773-3991.