Duck hunters: Don't forget your DEET!

This fall's waterfowl hunt starts Saturday

As you gather your equipment for the opening of Utah's waterfowl hunt, don't forget to toss in some mosquito spray that has DEET in it.

Wearing long sleeves and long pants and spraying your skin with a mosquito repellent that contains DEET or picaridin, whenever you are in the marshes hunting, will help protect you against West Nile virus.

Photo by Phil Douglass

Even though the number of people who have been infected with West Nile virus (WNV) is small, the threat that you might contract the virus still exists.

"There are still WNV-carrying mosquitoes around," says Jodee Summers, epidemiologist with the Utah Department of Health. "This type of mosquito is a prominent biter of people who spend time in marshy areas."

You can protect yourself by spraying your skin with a mosquito repellent that contains DEET or picaridin. And make sure you wear long sleeve shirts and long pants.

For more information, visit www.health.utah.gov/epi/diseases/wnv/Fact_Sheet/FS_05_2008.htm.