Spring is coming soon! As we get ready for another season of outdoor fun it's important to remember to protect ourselves from mosquitoes and ticks that may spread the viruses or bacteria that cause serious illness such as West Nile virus, Lyme disease or Rocky Mountain spotted fever. Fortunately, we can all take steps such as using an effective insect repellent on skin and clothing, wearing long sleeves and long pants (when it's not too hot), taking care of our yards to get rid of standing water where mosquitoes lay their eggs and reducing brush and leaf litter where ticks may like to hang out.
Kids, there's an important role that you can play in spreading the message about protection from these bugs. CDC and the DEET Education Program are sponsoring the second annual "Fight the Bite" Poster Contest, open to any child in grades 5 or 6. Create a poster showing people how to fight the bite of mosquitoes and ticks and enter it in the contest. Contest rules and an entry form are available online at www.FightTheBiteContest.org*
Spread the word! The contest has great prizes. Two winners will be picked from each state (one 5th grader and one in 6th) to receive a $50 bond. Two grand prize winners (one from each grade) will get a $1,000 bond. You'll have your artwork shown nationally and have a chance to help educate your community about disease prevention. Click here* for more about the contest… But don't wait; entries must be submitted by April 4, 2008.
*Links to non-federal organizations are provided solely as a service to our users. These links do not constitute an endorsement of these organizations or their programs by CDC or the federal government, and none should be inferred. CDC is not responsible for the content of the individual organization Web pages found at these links.