Fight The Bite Colorado

"Fight the Bite! Join the 'Swat Team' Against West Nile Virus" is an educational campaign that gives individuals practical tips to eliminate mosquitoes and use personal protection to prevent infection with West Nile virus (WNV). The Fight the Bite Colorado campaign consists of four elements: educational print materials, a comprehensive website, extensive media relations and a statewide network of community partnerships. Everything was created with input from other agencies and community groups, resulting in a consistent message and extensive statewide participation.

The goal of this program is to prevent the spread of this illness and protect human lives.

The Fight the Bite project increased awareness of the seriousness of West Nile virus among Colorado residents and tourists, yet reduced anxiety by offering specific solutions for prevention and protection. The outcome of this campaign is the distribution of over one million educational wallet cards, extensive coverage of West Nile virus by the media, and over 150,000 downloads of fact sheets from the website, www.FightTheBiteColorado.com. Daily newspaper articles reached over 1.4 million readers, with television broadcasts reaching 690,000 households. The Fight the Bite website was also linked from all newspaper and television station websites. Thanks to extensive media coverage, it is believed believe that 100% of the four million residents of Colorado have a basic awareness of West Nile virus.