disaster 5th 1108_5th ed 2011 - Homeland Security and Emergency ...

• Don’t put repellent on small children’s hands since it may
irritate their mouths or eyes.
• Get rid of “standing water” sources around yard and home
since they are breeding grounds for mosquitoes.
• The CDC says Vitamin B and “ultrasonic” devices are
NOT effective in preventing mosquito bites!
There is a growing concern about mosquitoes and other vectors spreading
diseases or being used as “bioterrorism”, but we’re only listing West Nile
Virus for now due to space. Always listen to health officials for information
on mosquito-borne and other types of infections.
For more information visit CDC NCID’s Division of Vector-Borne
Infectious Diseases at www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvbid ..or.. Public Health
Agency of Canada’s Infectious Diseases at www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/id-mi/
SEA CRITTER (MARINE LIFE) STINGS
There are just too many types of sea critters in our oceans and seas so we
can’t cover all the various kinds of stings and bites that could happen, but
a few common stings are shown here. To learn about specific types of sea
critters (marine life), check with your local library or on the Internet.
Things to watch for…
Puncture marks or tentacles on the skin
Pain or burning
Swelling or red marks
Possible Allergic Reaction - Pain, itching, hives, redness
or discoloration at site, trouble breathing, signs of
shock (pale, cold, drowsy, etc.)
What to do…
• Rinse skin - use seawater, vinegar, ammonia, or alcohol
(in whatever form is handy - rubbing alcohol or booze.)
Fresh water might make it hurt worse.
• DO NOT rub skin - it could make it worse!
• Try to remove any tentacles attached to skin, if possible…
but DO NOT use bare hands… use a towel or tweezers.
• Soak sting or make a paste (below) to help relieve pain:
tropical jellyfish - soak area in vinegar
stingray or stonefish - soak area in hot water
• Cover sting with sterile bandage or gauze, or clean cloth.
• Call local emergency number, if necessary.
www.itsadisaster.net or call 1-888-999-4325
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