I am the first person to admit that I if I could I would put my kids in bubble wrap forever, but clearly that is not a viable solution to keeping my kids safe and protected. All us parents truly can do when it comes to keeping our kids out of harm's way is having as much knowledge and information in our parenting arsenal as possible so that we can make educated decisions and take the proper precautions when it comes to the welfare Of our kids.
All that being said with the fun of annual fall traditions like weekend camping trips and outdoor sporting events, it can be easy to overlook a tiny threat buzzing around, biting you and your family. Mosquito bites are just a normal part of the season, right? Unfortunately, what many families don’t realize is that what seems like a minor annoyance can become a very big deal. A life changing deal. Working or playing outside can expose you and your loved ones to an increased risk of contracting mosquito-borne diseases like West Nile virus (WNV) or Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE). Mosquitos don’t just ruin your kids’ soccer games, they can pass along lasting physical and neurological damage or even lead to death
The video below shows how one mosquito bite has affected real people like Kim, a mother who lost her 5-year-old daughter Adreanna to EEE and Sean, a father who had to relearn to walk and swallow after he contracted WNV and to this day, can’t walk without a cane or pick up his children.
Through the I’m One Program, the American Mosquito Control Association (AMCA) is committed to educating the public on the dangers of diseases like WNV and EEE. Currently, there are no vaccines or treatments available to counteract these diseases. But, you can take simple steps to help reduce the risk and protect the health and safety of your loved ones.
Who is most at risk? Although everyone is vulnerable to mosquito-borne disease, those at particular risk are young children, senior citizens and those who spend a significant amount of time outside. Before stepping outside, put on layers of protective clothing and use an insect repellant.
OK, what can I do about it? And, chances are, your community has an active mosquito control program that monitors for the presence of WNV-and EEE- infected mosquitoes. These professionals can help alleviate a big part of the risk of these diseases through proactive, preventive mosquito control measures like treating standing water with EPA-approved products. Consider reaching out to your city, county and state officials to let them know you support local mosquito control efforts to protect your family’s health and quality of life. For more information on the “I’m One” Program, visit http://www.mosquito.org/im-one-program
This post is being shared as part of the I’m One program on behalf of the American Mosquito Control Association and Central Life Sciences but as is always the case all opinions expressed are my own.
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