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economist sunsuntribune saturday may 15 2004 1 m i v v v v vs- sjv v v tor- j a x 5sf i ar2aa s 1 xv igshe 1 js vlflij a 5- vi i ffl what is west nile virus some mosquitoes carry west nile virus and their bites may lead to west infection mosquitoes become infected when they bite an infected bird virus who is at risk for west nile virus everyone who is active and outside during the summer months should take precautions to avoid being bitten by mosquitoes people who have chronic illnesses and the elderly should be especially careful what are the symptoms the risk of becoming seriously ill is low in fact for the very few who are bitten by an infected mosquito most do not even know it while the majority of people who become infected will experience no symptoms or have very mild illness for some the symptoms will be pronounced west nile virus illness consists of fever muscle weakness stiff neck confusion severe headache and a sudden sensitivity to light for a very rare few the virus causes serious neurological illness prevention and protection are the best ways to protect yourself and your family from west nile virus there are simple and common sense precautions that should be taken cleanup the best way to keep mosquitoes away is to clean up areas of stagnant water where they like to breed look around your house and property and get rid of places that are mosquito friendly eliminate stagnant water which may gather in pool covers flower pots childrens pools old tires and birdbaths cover up mosquitoes are most active between dusk and dawn if you need to be outside at this time cover up and consider using insect repellent for extra protection make sure screens on your home are tightfitting and in good repair west nile virus community open houses to be held june 810 do you have questions or concerns about west nile virus york region health services is offering west nile virus public information open houses dropin anytime between 300 pm and 800 pm on the following dates date location tuesday june 8 2004 york region administrative centre committee room a 7250 yonge street newmarket wednesday june 9 2004 town of markham civic centre york room lower level 101 town centre blvd markham thursdayjunelo2004 town of georgina civic centre council chambers 26557 civic centre road keswick m 3shhhp hill i f ij1 l 111 1 the york region west nile virus control plan for 2004 is multifaceted and includes extensive public education mosquito control activities including larviciding and what is larviciding larviciding is a low risk and effective measure for the control of west nile virus when used according to label instructions the slowrelease pellet formulation interferes with the mosquito life cycle preventing the mosquito larva from reaching maturity it is not sprayed larvicide will be applied into the stagnant water of catch basins in four phases from june through september will york region apply larvicide on private property c iii- i l if you are concerned about catch basins on your property place a mesh screen over the catch basin to prevent mosquitoes from entering and exiting a limited number of rear yard catch basins located on private property will be treated with larvicide on a casebycose basis why are dead birds being collected like humans west nile virus is transmitted to the bird population by infected mosquitoes crows blue jays and other raptorial species are known to be most susceptible to the disease and act as early warning signs for the presence of the virus in a parfiruloi s a report dead crows and blue ja dead crows and blue jays are to be reported to york region health services through the health connection information line atl 800361 5653 suitable specimens a suitable died less than 1 2 hours prior to col region health services and sent for testing but knowing what species do not handle bin municipal garbage gl ulefqg deadbirds will not be suitable for testing tbsss dead bird wear rubber bird contact health oni ction for pickup dead bird pkkup service is available please contact health connection for pickup of dead birds of any species for more information about west nilevirus contact york region health services health connection 18003515653 i trmbfr i wwwregionyorkonca york region health services does not recommend the use of bat boxes as an effective method for mosquito control since over the last two summers there have been several bots that tested positive for rabies in york region si lv vji ii n ra m v ijsiizfi ixu2 ttfvfwffai v iifyrii jsvi