Westport Urgent Care, the premier provider of urgent care medicine for the Westport region, is urging area residents to is urging residents to take safety measures against mosquito borne illnesses in the wake of recent heavy rains and the discovery of mosquitoes carrying the potentially deadly West Nile Virus in nearby Norwalk.
“With our recent flooding and the discovery of the West Nile Virus in Norwalk, this is the time be extra careful when outdoors in the early morning and evening,” said Deborah A. Mogelof, MD, of Westport Urgent Care. “The recent rains have produced a bumper crop of mosquitoes that can carry a variety of illnesses, including the West Nile Virus that was confirmed by Connecticut State officials.”
Westport Urgent Care reminds residents that there are a number of things you can do to help avoid mosquito bites and control the number of mosquitoes in and around your home.
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The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention offers these tips:
Ÿ When possible, wear long sleeves, long pants and socks when outdoors.
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Ÿ Consider staying indoors at dawn, dusk and in the early evening, which are peak mosquito biting times.
Ÿ Use an insect repellent containing DEET to help reduce exposure to mosquitoes.
ŸSpray clothes with repellent containing permethrin or DEET for extra protection. (Don’t apply repellents containing permethrin directly to skin. Do not spray repellent containing DEET on the skin under your clothing.)
Ÿ Take extra care to use repellent and protective clothing during evening and early morning, or consider avoiding outdoor activities during these times.
Ÿ Place mosquito netting over infant carriers when you are outdoors.
Ÿ Install or repair window and door screens so that mosquitoes cannot get indoors.
Ÿ At least once or twice a week, empty water from flower pots, pet food and water dishes, birdbaths, swimming pool covers, buckets, barrels, and cans.
Ÿ Limit the number of places around your home for mosquitoes to breed by getting rid of items that hold water, such as old tires, tin cans, buckets, drums, or bottles.
Ÿ Check for clogged rain gutters and clean them out.
Ÿ Be sure to check for containers or trash in places that may be hard to see, such as under brushes or under your home.
Ÿ Neighborhood clean-up days can be organized by civic or youth organizations to pick up containers from vacant lots and parks, and to encourage people to keep their yards free of standing water.
If you are bitten by mosquitoes and have an allergic reaction, Westport Urgent Care
urges you to seek medical assistance immediately. “If an area becomes inflamed, red and itchy, it is a good idea to come into our clinic and have it checked. Odds are it is nothing serious, but it is better to err on the side of safety,” recommended Dr. Mogelof.
In the event of a life-threatening medical emergency, call medical emergency services at 911 immediately. DO NOT WAIT! The emergency department of a hospital is fully staffed and equipped to handle life-threatening emergencies. Westport Urgent Care does not treat life-threatening emergencies.
Westport Urgent Care measures its success through patient satisfaction and extraordinary care. Westport Urgent Care also offers employers professional services for workers compensation, routine exams, and drug testing. Westport Urgent Care provides a convenient, cost effective alternative to emergency rooms and doctor’s offices from their office at 1045 Post Road East. For additional information call (203) 557-8200 or visit their website at www.westporturgentcare.com.
