How to protect against West Nile - KXLT - Fox 47 Rochester MN News, Weather and Sports

ROCHESTER, Minn. (FOX 47) -- As summer comes to an end, the last thing most people want to do is spend their time indoors. So, what can you do to make sure you can enjoy the outdoors without pesky mosquitos and deadly West Nile?

Most cases of West Nile are so mild they might not even cause any symptoms. But more than 600 people have developed a severe, neuroinvasive form of West Nile that can include meningitis and swelling of the brain. Most severe cases of the illness begin with the sudden onset of a fever, headache, stiff neck, aches, and vomiting.

Health department officials said prevention is the best defense. Use a bug spray with DEET, cover your arms and legs when possible with long sleeved shirts and long pants and get rid of standing water where mosquitos like to breed. If you don't want to use products containing DEET, there are other options.

"There is another product on the market called Permethrin, but not a lot of people seem to know," said Dr. Priya Sampathkumar of Mayo Clinic. "It's very popular with hunters because it doesn't have any odor. It doesn't work when you put it on your skin, but it is a very good insect repellent when you put it on your clothes."

We're told the best part about Permethrin is that once you spray your clothes with it, you can even wash them a few times before it wears off. The product is easy to find, and available in most sporting good stores.