(April 28, 2005) -- Offering additional options in combating the mosquito-borne West Nile Virus, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) today (April 28) approved mosquito repellents which include two active ingredients - picaridin and oil of lemon eucalyptus - which the agency says have been shown to offer long-lasting protection against mosquito bites.

After years of favoring DEET nearly exclusively, the CDC said in a written release, "Picaridin, also known as KBR 3023, is an ingredient found in many mosquito repellents used in Europe, Australia, Latin America and Asia for some time" and "[e]vidence indicates that it works very well, often comparable with DEET products of similar concentration.

The other repellent is oil of lemon eucalyptus (also known as p-menthane 3,8-diol or PMD), a plant-based mosquito repellent that provided protection time similar to low concentration DEET products in two recent studies. It is available in a variety of formulations throughout the U.S.

The agency added that repellents containing DEET continue to be highly effective and are also included in the CDC guidelines. .

"We're very excited that the number of options people have to protect themselves from mosquitoes and therefore West Nile Virus has increased," said CDC Director Julie L. Gerberding. "Products containing DEET, picaridin and oil of lemon eucalyptus are all excellent choices. The important thing is that they remember to protect themselves from mosquito bites when they're going to be outside. We want people to enjoy their spring and summer free of West Nile Virus."

CDC recommends that people use repellent anytime they go outside, especially during prime mosquito biting hours, between dusk and dawn. People should follow the label instructions, and if they start getting bitten re-apply repellent.