To help DuPage County residents protect themselves against West Nile virus (WNV), the DuPage County Health Department has created a Personal Protection Index (PPI) that will inform residents of the amount of WNV activity in the county, as well as prevention steps that are recommended.
The PPI provides residents with a current snapshot of WNV activity, ranging from zero to four, with zero being no activity and four announcing multiple human cases of WNV in DuPage County.
The PPI will be updated every Wednesday at 3:00 p.m., by Health Department staff, during the surveillance season. The PPI will change to match the risk level determined for that period.
When activated, residents should follow the 4 D's of prevention that coincide with the PPI risk level.
Drain: Drain those items that collect standing water around your home, yard or business. Scrub and refill pet water dishes and bird baths regularly.
Defend: Use an insect repellent containing DEET when outdoors and reapply according to directions.
Dress: Wear long pants, long sleeves and closed toe shoes when outside to cover the skin.
Dusk & Dawn: Wear repellent outdoors during these prime times for mosquito activity.