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economist suntribune health thursday aug 12002 west nile bird found in markham by jeff mitchell staff writer although just one positive case has been identi fied york region health workers remain on the alert in the vigil against the west nile virus a dead bird found in markham near the inter section of steeles avenue and hwy 404 is pre sumed to have died because of the virus which is spread by mosquitoes the health department is awaiting confirma tion of that finding from a federal lab in winnipeg the finding proves the virus which has killed several people in the united states is still present in the area said dr hanif kassam associate med ical officer of health for york region west nile virus is something that is not going to go away dr kassam said wednesday its something thats also spreading he said it used to be limited to ontario only now were see ing birds infected with the virus in quebec and ontario the virus first detected in new york state in the late 1990s has continued a steady migration north and west this summer in the winnipeg area 15 dead birds have tested positive for the virus more alarm ing six people are currently undergoing testing for the virus which can cause viral meningitis and encephalitis and can in some cases be fatal locally health officials are quick to point out no human cases of the virus have been detected and that contraction is actually a minor risk it is estimated that even in areas where the virus has been detected it is carried by less than 1percent of mosquitoes but this summer as with the past couple of years the health department is taking steps to edu cate the public about the threat and urging them to take steps to reduce their risk of exposure those steps include avoiding being bitten by mosquitoes and eliminating standing water and other areas in which mosquitos can breed and the region is spending 218000 in provin cial funding to monitor the mosquito population for signs of the virus this year dr kassam said si 4s dr carol gen in dr martin mcdowell optometrists 9056423937 6085 main st stouffviile meet 80 people introduce your firm and services all before 9 am wake up smell the coffee and perk up your profits mcm8ershipmeahs business marxham board of trade corporate sponsor motorola uotowlm csnsda umtttd receive a list of all in attendance to followup and build your contact list you can do this more at the markham board of trade networking breakfasts held each month call the mbt to register at 9054740730 ext 0 next breakfast thursday aug 802 must book by tuesday aug 602 hilton garden inn 300 commerce valley dr e please mum final clearance select items accessories from 099 babies wear from 399 kids wear from 499 visit us in st lease rates are those offered by mini financial services only on approved credit msrp for a 2002 mini cooper is 2495000 at a lease rate of 775 over 36 months is 29900 per month a down payment of 341 000 is required as well as first months lease payment security deposit of approximately one months lease payment transport and preparation 1 29500 and all taxes upon signing options are available at an extra cost together with tax license registration and insurance annual kilometres limited to 20000 01 5 per excess kilometre delivery must be taken by september 30 2002 mini cooper above shown with 16 wheels included in the optional sport package available for an additional 30 per month please see dealer for complete details 2002 mini canada a division of bmw canada inc mini and the mini logo are trademarks of bmw ag used under licence by bmw canada inc mini markham a division of towncountry bmw 8111 kennedy road at hwy 407 kennedy 9055138900 visit our web site at wwwminimarkhamcom hwy7 mini makhanr s 407 0 at c 0 v c c steeles