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c economist sunsuntribune saturday may 14 2005 what is west nile virus some mosquitoes carry west nile virus and their bites may lead to west nile virus infection mosquitoes become infected when they bite an infected bird 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 fj v i jfi v slv v vr 8twiirydyk1fegibriapply idryicjijebn psfivcte property c- if you qfe concerned about torch basins on your property plccea mesh screen over prevention and protection are the best ways to protect yourself and your family from west nilevirus there are simple and common sense precautions that should be taken cleanup the best way to keejrnqsquitoes away is to clean up areas of stagnant water where theyfiiketp breed look around your house and property and get rid of places that are mosquito friendly eliminate stagnant water whiclmaygather in pool covers flower pots childrens pools old tires and birdbaths cover up y 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 v ww are dead birds being collected j- dikehumaris west nils virus is transmitted jo the bird population by infected k- mosqiiitoes crows blue jqysqncothec raptorialispecies ore known o be most wf vuseptlbleto the disegsg and act as early warning sfgnsjorthe presence of the 6vvirusjnaparticulnrarea v v- k dead crowsand blbe lays v suitable sjkimens may be collected antl submitted io thecanodian cpf operative- jpsfijv shcbd specimens asuitabje specimen must beacroworbjue jay that has for more information about west nile virus contact york region health services health connection 18003615653 wwwyorkca t 1 virs york region health services does not recommend the use of bot boxes as an effective method for mosquito control since during post summer seasons several bats hove tested positive for rabies in york region i 1 v iii ib 4 i t vir hi hi ill ih i l i at i i i- ilq in i i-