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The Canadian Champion, Friday, April 4, 2003-11 Important Information on the West Nile virus Fighting the West Nile virus. Ontario's 7 point action plan. The West Nile virus is a mosquito-borne virus that poses a health 4. Mosquito Control: risk. Most infected people show mild symptoms but for a rare Controlling bugs means less chance of being bitten. few it is serious, possibly fatal. It is not an airborne virus like the Funcing is being made available to every Public Health Unit for Flu or a cold. It is transowtted through the blood. larviciding (pesticidal products called larvicides are placed in Following the Governments commitment in its 2003 Budget to stagnant water where mosquitoes prefer to lay their eggs) and, invest $100 Million over five years to help stop the spread of West as a last resort, adulticiding (or what is commonly referred to as Nile virus, the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care is launching pesticidal spray). Public health units will make the decision on an aggressive seven-point action plan. what control activities will be carried out, with the ministry Here are some of the details of this cost-sharing the costs of these activities. seven-point action plan. 5. Early Warning: 1. New lab capabiities:Helping you be prepared. 1. Nw lb cpablites:A pilot project is being inIplemented for an early warning Faster results for faster treatments. system to better track the outbreak of the virus and to be able Timely reporting of test results is essential for patient treatment and to make more timely decisions on its management. data collection. Therefore, we are adding new staff and equipment to provide new provincial testing capabilities, reducing the time 6. Community Exposure Study: it takes to get West Nile virus test results. Lettmg you know how fast and far West Nile virus is traveling. 2. Tracking the virus: Many people bitten by infected mosquitoes don't show any signs Responding faster to protect public health. of serous illness. So ln Halton region, we're gathering data on Effective May 1, 2003, West Nile virus will be both a reportable how many people were infected in 2002. This information will disease and a communicable disease under the Health Protection help us determine how widespread the disease has become. and Promotion Act reporting to the local medical officers of health. This means that there is a formal and required reporting 7. Research: mechanism for cases of the disease. This information will give Keeping abreast of the latest information. your local medical officer better information to take whatever We will continue consultations with community groups and with actions are needed to protect public health. national and international professional organizations to maintain Additionally, we will be tracking the migration of the virus an ongoing flow of information with physicians and patients with throgh eadcros an raens moquio bredig aeasfor West Nile virus symptoms. This will also enable us to have the latest through ead crow an raes, information on mosquito control techniques, disease surveillance larvae pools, as well as horses. methods and resuits, and successful public education approaches. 3. Public Education: Mosquito season will soon be here. We wil be keeping Informing you of the best ways to protect you informed on West ie virus. For more information, yourself and your family. visit our web site or eau our Infoine. Educating the public on how to protect themselves from mosquito bites, reducing mosquito breeding grounds around the home and informing healthcare providers of new issues regarding the transmission of West Nile virus (organ transplants or blood 1-877-234-4343 donations) is essential for all of us. We will ensure that you are www.healthcrovonca kept informed of developments with West Nile virus and advised on how to protect yourself and your farnily. TTY: 1-800-387-5559 Matine healthcare workfor you.f tv O ntaro