TAKE THE BITE OUT OF SUMMER     The summer season is here. Rising temperatures and rain showers are producing the feeling of a sauna each time we go outdoors. The weather reporters sometimes measure the sauna effect with the use of the term “misery index”.      However, the sauna effect (warm temperatures and moisture) often produces an ideal environment for mosquitoes. Mosquitoes are not new to the Houston metropolitan area, but now in addition to St. Louis encephalitis; mosquitoes are responsible for West Nile Virus (WNV).      West Nile has presented itself in recent years in temperate regions, presenting a threat to humans, equine and animal health. The most serious result of WNV is fatal encephalitis (inflammation of the brain) in humans, and horses, as well as death in certain domestic and wild birds. In the United States, infected mosquitoes, primarily members of the Culex species, transmit West Nile Virus.      West Nile Virus can be prevented in two major ways and they are (1) personal protective measures to reduce contact with mosquitoes and (2) source reduction measures to reduce the population of infected mosquitoes in the environment.      Personal protective measures include:  reducing time outdoors, particularly in early evening hours, wearing long pants and long sleeved shirts, and applying mosquito repellent to exposed skin areas. Source reduction methods include elimination of larvae and adult mosquitoes as well as the elimination of standing water around the home (e.g. empty excess water from flower pots and empty water from trash can lids). For more information contact: www.cdc.gov Prepared by: Dr. D. Daniels