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ZAK'S PHARMACY Mitons Independent Pharmacy Fre se ivpr *A Drug lnA cpd *Wnitten Drug Info. Asaoab "At Zaka We Care About Your Health" 70 Main SI.E. 875-2424 A Metroland Community N~ (r Lllekend, 'ýewspaper Vol. 143 No. 42 Frîday, August 9, 2002 24 Pages $1 .00 (GST încluded) ____ ____ ____ ___W est Nile Virus 1> i discovered in five more birds here Photo by GRAHAM PAINE Take that The Ontario Renaissance Festival hosted the three-day Internaional Jousîing Tournament over the holiday weekend with competitors tram across North America vying for "gold." Here, Sir Henry Lee (left) clashes with Sir George Clifford in Italian-style jousting Sunday. Temperaturas Are RisIngi Book your air conditioning inspection today Walac -POTIA ST I.IK By PAUL MITCHISON Special ta The Champion Five additional crows have test- cd positive for the West Nile Virus in Halton, bringing the total to nrne this year. The fove birds found within the last cou- pIe of weeks includcd three in south Oakville and two in south Burlington. Last year in I-aIton, just seven Halton birds tested positive for the virus. Peter Willmott, director of health protec- tion services for Halton Region, didn't seem worried by the latest results. "Its not surprising," said Mr. Willmott in an interview Tuesday. "We know the virus is in the bird population, and Id be sur- prised if it wasn't- we found it last year." There have been no reports of humans caching the West Nile Virus in Canada, and the risk of transmission to humans is considered low, although there has been a ie in the number of infected humans in the southemriU.S. Report dead birds ln Halton, residents are asked to cail the Region when dead birds - especially crows and blue jays- are found. Reports should be forwarded tu, (905) 825-6187. Halton officiais are more focused on whether there's any ut virus found in the local musquito werelationdsaid Mr. Wllmott. If there wri ol be sumne- what more troubling, he said. The Halton Region Health Department bas an extensive adult musquitu trapping and mosquitu larvae identification pro- gramn. Adult mosquitocs are sent to Brock University for testing for the virus, and su, far there have been nu positive test results. The news of mure nfected birds in I-lton comes at a time when $9 million mure is being invested tu support West Nile virus surveillance and prevention this sum- mer across Ontario. The extra fonds werc part of an Auguso I announcement by Ontario Health and Long-Tern Care Minister Tony Clement. "Our govemrment beleves that preven- tion is the best protectbon. said Mr. Clement. "This $9 million investinent in detection and prevention wil make people aware of how the virus is spread and how to protect themselves and their families." 0f the $9 million, $7.5 million will be available to boards of health for control rneasures againso both larval and aduit mnosquitues, since mosquitoes can transmit the virus. Local health umits will also receive $1 .3 million for additional surveillance, public education and local mapping and assess- ment for possible larviciding. The remain- ing $200,000 wili fund the stand-by costs of a licenced pesticide applicator, as a con- tongency measure. Mr. Willmott said Halton officiais are stili waiting to see how the extra funding will affect things locally. "We have a fairly comprehensive programn at the moment, but I expeet we'll hear whether we should sort of expand our activities - or the funds may directed to sinaler areas that dont currently have resources.' While dead bird surveilance will contin- ue throughout Halton, a high number of birds being examined from across Ontario has meant the lab in Guelph is liniting the seYOU on page Il Comment ......6-71 Lit estyles ....... 9 Dateline...14-15 Sports ...... 17-19 Classif ied .... .20-23 e Frldal, Augusl 9. *AP'IloppesOfrqUeRW .àZalase eaSu* * ffllo% Vllage Marte FMed Bis *Cnadian Tire é Home Hardware *9 Coveso *Hock DepoP * éAtla Garden Marte'* ,tenu*s *Surs'* éEbdeltonssmers Alpliasc cetre @olets Media selected areas 001Y m - ý g