Wearing repellent on my skin or permethrin-treated clothing is unappealing to me. Am I really at risk if I avoid using such measures?
Very likely, yes. West Nile virus has been detected in almost every state, with 4,261 cases (and 174 fatalities) reported in 2006. In 2005, 23,305 cases of Lyme disease were reported in the U.S. With West Nile virus, the number of cases continues to rise and the geographical distribution of the disease now reaches across the continental United States. In 1999, only one state (New York) had reported a human case. In contrast, the health risks associated with repellents and permethrin, according to health authorities, range from tiny to nonexistent. This is why an agency such as the CDC advocates their use. “Each year some areas of the U.S. experience intense outbreaks of West Nile virus transmission,” says Dr. Emily Zielinkski-Gutierrez, a behavioral scientist with the CDC. “If you hear reports of human cases, infected mosquitoes or dead birds, it makes sense to raise your level of concern and take more precautions. “Likewise with Lyme disease, if you live on the East Coast or an area o
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