Keep Babies, Children Safe From Mosquitoes: FVHD

CANTON/FARMINGTON/AVON, CT — Following a summer of breeding, mosquitoes in Connecticut are now more than just a nuisance.

They're a public health threat.

And according to the regional Farmington Valley Health District, babies and young children are also vulnerable to the blood-sucking bugs and the illnesses they can cause.

The Canton-based health agency, which serves the towns of Avon, Barkhamsted, Canton, Colebrook, East Granby, Farmington, Granby, Hartland, New Hartford, and Simsbury has been busy in recent days putting out information about how folks can stay safe when the bugs are biting.

One population susceptible is babies and young children.

And with both West Nile Virus (WNV) and eastern equine encephalitis (EEE) being discovered recently in Farmington and surrounding towns, the health department is urging a precautionary approach from families.

WNV can be dangerous to the very old and the very young, with EEE lethal in 30 percent of individuals who show symptoms.

Both illnesses, however, are considered rare, though mosquitoes trapped statewide are not testing positive for both viruses, according to state officials.

The following are tips the FVHD put out this week for parents of young babies and children:

• Cover strollers and baby carriers with mosquito netting.

• Dress children in clothing that covers arms and legs.

• Do not use products containing oil of lemon eucalyptus (OLE) or para-menthane-diol (PMD) on children under 3 years old.

• Do not apply repellent to a child's hands, eyes, mouth, cuts, or irritated skin.

• Adults should apply repellent to their hands and then apply it to a child's face.

For more information on combatting mosquitoes, click on this link.

From Sept. 9: 'Potentially Lethal Mosquitoes Trapped In Farmington: Officials'