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Parents often wonder if they should spray insect repellent on their children before they go to school. Whether children spend time outside during the school day should determine the need for applying repellent. If children will be spending time outdoors (for example, in recreational activities, walking to and from school, etc.), parents may wish to apply repellent. Mosquito repellent containing DEET is the most effective in providing long-lasting protection from mosquito bites.

In regards to giving children repellent to use during the day, the age and maturity of the child should be taken into account before giving repellent to children for their own use. As with many other chemicals, care should be taken that DEET is not misused or swallowed. Parents should find out if a child will be outside during the school day and should discuss proper use of the product with their children. Parents should also consult local school officials to obtain policies and procedures specific to bringing repellent to school.

Repellents Containing DEET

In rare cases, the use of repellents containing DEET may cause skin reactions. If you suspect a reaction to this product, discontinue use, wash the treated skin and seek medical attention. If you go to a doctor, take the product with you. Cases of serious reactions to products containing DEET have been related to misuse of the product, such as swallowing, using over broken skin and using for multiple days without washing skin in between use. Always follow the instructions on the product label.

There are not reported adverse events following the use of repellents containing DEET in pregnant or breastfeeding women.

Exposure to Dead Birds

Elgin St. Thomas Public Health is no longer collecting dead birds because it has been sufficiently established that the virus is in an area, and additional testing will not reveal any more information. Shifting resources away from testing of dead birds allows those resources to be devoted elsewhere in surveillance and control.

To dispose of a dead bird, use plastic or latex gloves to carefully place it in a double plastic bag. You may also use a double plastic bag as a glove to pick up the bird. The bird can then be wrapped in the bag, tied of at the end and placed in the outdoor trash. Wash your hands with soap and water when finished.