Helpful information on DEET  

Today, mosquitoes are more than a nuisance. Some carry West Nile virus and bites may lead to West Nile virus infection and, in turn, mild or serious illness.

One way to protect yourself and your family from mosquito bites is to use insect repellent when outdoors.

Use federally registered insect repellents such as products containing DEET (N, N-diethyl-m-toluamide).

Apply repellent sparingly on exposed skin or on top of clothing.

Do not apply underneath clothing.

The repellent doesn't have to be applied heavily to be effective - a light coating will do.

The concentration of DEET should be no greater than 30 per cent for adults and no greater than 10 per cent for children.

Use only when needed and follow label directions carefully including restrictions for use on young children and maximum number of applications per day.

Studies have shown that products with lower concentration of DEET are just as effective as the high concentration products, but they remain effective for shorter periods of time :

• 30% DEET provides protection for about six hours
• 15% DEET provides protection for about five hours
• 10% DEET provides protection for about three hours
• 5% DEET provides protection for about two hours

For more information about a wide variety of health topics, visit HealthyOntario.

QUEEN'S PARK (May 2004) — The McGuinty government has announced its comprehensive, four-year plan to invest in health and education, foster economic growth and balance the budget. The Budget - which, for the first time lays out a comprehensive four-year fiscal plan - sets out a balanced mix of investment, revenue generation, cost-cutting and economic growth.

Government investments in health care will reduce wait times and improve access to doctors and nurses, home care and long-term care. They will also enhance preventive health measures, expand mental health services and provide stable funding to Ontario hospitals.

• Over the next four years, the government will reduce wait times for cancer, cardiac, cataract, MRI/CT and joint-replacement services.
• Focusing on healthy living, illness prevention and health promotion will, in the long run, be the best way to lower costs for health care.
• To reduce wait times for health care, provide more doctors and nurses and deliver results for patients, legislation will be introduced to create the Ontario Health Premium, with every cent dedicated to health, and only health.
• Over the next year, the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care will work with the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities to implement a comprehensive health human resource development strategy, designed to increase the supply of highly-trained health care professionals.
• The government is implementing e-Health initiatives to use information technology to modernize health care service delivery and help achieve health system integration.
• To improve cancer care and cardiac care, home care and long-term care, some less critical services will no longer be covered by OHIP.

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