www.insideHALTON.com | OAKVILLE BEAVER | Wednesday, August 14, 2013 | 4 Oakville woman has West Nile virus -- others cautioned Halton Regional Health Department officials confirmed yesterday (Tuesday) that an Oakville woman has tested positive for West Nile virus (WNV) -- making her the first human case of the virus in Halton in 2013. Health officials said the woman, who is in her 50s, may have contracted the virus locally, but could also have come into contact with it during recent travel outside Ontario. Halton Region Health Department staff are also reporting that a batch of mosquitoes trapped last week in Milton have tested positive for WNV . This means the disease has now been detected in all four of Halton's municipalities. "This case of human illness, and the additional positive mosquito trap, underscore the need to protect yourself from mosquito bites from now until the hard frosts of fall set in," said Dr. Monir Taha, Halton Region's Associate Medical Officer of Health. "This message is particularly important for older adults or those with underlying illnesses because they are at higher risk for more serious West Nile virus illnesses." In Halton, the months of highest risk for human WNV illness are August and September. About 80 per cent of people who become in- This message is particularly important for older adults or those with underlying illnesses because they are at higher risk for more serious West Nile virus illnesses. Associate Medical Officer of Health, Halton Region Dr. Monir Taha It's local, it's less, It's time to recycle your DRYWALL ! Located just off the QEW at 2182 WYECROFT ROAD, OAKVILLE Open to the public 8:30am - 4:30pm Monday - Friday Closed Weekends and Holidays Rate: $57.50/Tonne LEED certification www.nwgypsum.com 905-847-0520 fected with WNV do not experience any illness, while about 20 per cent will develop West Nile fever. Less than one per cent will develop inflammation of the brain or its lining, or a type of paralysis. The Halton Regional Health Department recommends residents protect themselves by: · Covering up wearing light-coloured, longsleeved shirts and pants with tightly-woven fabric · Avoiding the outdoors from early evening to morning when mosquitoes are most active and likely to bite, as well as at any time in shady, wooded areas · Reduce mosquito breeding sites by getting rid of all water-filled containers and objects. Change the water in birdbaths at least once per week · Use an approved insect repellent, such as one containing DEET · Make sure windows and door screens are tight and in good repair A map showing the locations of standing water sites that have had larvicide applied is available on the Health Department's website at www.halton.ca/wnv. To report standing water or for more information about WNV call 311 or call Halton Region at 905-825-6000, toll free at 1-866-4HALTON (1-866-442-5866), TTY 905-827-9833 or email wnv@halton.ca. COME OUT AND JOIN US AT CREDIT VALLEY GOLF & COUNTRY CLUB, VOTED ONE OF ONTARIO GOLF'S TOP 100 COURSES MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 9TH, 2013 FOURSOME AND SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES STILL AVAILABLE REGISTER TODAY AT WWW.OTMHGOLF.COM