12-The canadian Champion, Fniday, November 14, 2003 - eu l eut FuIl blood study report expected t ýo bc mde public in nieai-ý futur e a from RISK on page 4 "We are doing our own follow up," she said, noting it would include an evaluation of physical and mental health. Dr Elliott hopes to have the resulta compiled and ready for pub- lic release early next summer, when the West Nile season typical- ly starts. The point of the blood study waa to fmnd how many residents in two postal code areas in Oakville con- tracted Weat Nule. It wat chosen because it had the highest rate of infection in North America st year. 0f the 1,505 residenta who pro- vided a blood sample, 46 tested positive, or 3.1 per cent, for virus antibodies. It produced a ratio suggesting thatbetween 670 and 1219 of the 30,467 residents living in the sain- pie areas were infected. I that area, there were six cases of encephalitis (ail hospitalized) and five caaes of meningitis (one hospitalized). Eight people also had West Nule fever (one hospital- ized). Generally, the Oakville number of 3.1 per cent waa comparable to the number infected in New York at 2.6 per cent. The Oakville study found Most, or 65 per cent, of those testing pos- itive for the antibodies were over 50 years of age. Behavioral patterns studied flic study alto, looked at behav- ioural pattemns mainly to sec what people did to protect themnselves againat getting West Nile. Two-thirdt of those surveycd had containers with water - known mosquito breeding sites - on their properties; a quarter had door and window acreen tears; nearly two- thirds rarely or neyer wore insect repeilent outdoors for 30 Minutes or longer; and haif of thote sur- veycd rarely or neyer wore long- sleeved shirts and pants. More than hall did nothing to stop froro being bitten, despite Most saying they had receivcd information on how to avoid mos- quito bites. Dr. Elliottstaid she wtt aston- ished to tee the Iack of protection foin tse public against West Nule. -"This is juat startling to me," she taid. Dr. Bob Notai, Halton's Medical Officer of Heaith, taid the report taket into account data from last year and not this year, but con- cludea Usat residents need to take precautions againt West Nule. "It reaffirms ail our public health messages," he said, noting regional poling results this year show Usat 82 per cent of residents removed standing water on Useir properties within seven days. The full blood study report wtt expected to be released by Use McMaster researchers to the Province yetterday and should be made public soon. Jason Misner can be reached at jmisner@miltoncanadianchampi- ------ ------ -----. Correction Notice I n Tuesday, November 11lth's edition of the Champion, the Country Depot ad should have read i $5.00 off your next purchase of $25.00 or 1 more towards Christmas Decorations 1 (excluding greens) on the day of the 1 United Way House Tour (Sat. Nov. 22/03) I& is flot to be used with any other coupon or discount." 1 We apologîze for any inconvenience this imay have caused. h---------- is pleased to announce... An Open Letter to Hafton Residents and Frids and Family of Allendale Long-Tern Care FaiIity: .Recently you may have read media coverage or heard about Halton's plan to move to an 'alternative service delivery' approach ait Allendale, Halton Region's long terni care facility in Milton. There has been some innaccuracy about these plans, which is creating undo angst and stress for the residents and familles of Allendale. Halton Region would like to set the record straight. At Halton, we believe strongly in long-term care. Halton Region is currently building two new facilities in Oakville and Burlington respectivey, and plans are being made to bring these two facilities on board at the end of next year as publicly funded, operated and managed long-terni care centers. It is a matter of public record that approximateîy 180 - 200 new positions will be required for our expanded commitment to long-termn care. As part of our normal business practioe and in preparing to transition to these two new additionaî long-termi care facilities, the decision was made to have hairdressing and foot care provided by outside servioe providers. The same level of servioe will continue to be provided on Allendale premises. This approach has been successfuîîy implemented in many other long-termn care facilities with no adverse impact on residents. The four unionized employees who are affected by the change to foot care and hairdressing services are being offered ail possible options under their collective agreement of remaining wvith Halton, including retraining and neesr upr urn h rniin With respect to the delivery of non-care related functions, no decision has been made. You can be assured that these services will be reviewed and considered with input from staff, residents and families, and will be communicated in a timely way overthe next several months. 1 wvish to assure you that 1 would neyer put forward any change that would compromise the care of the most vulnerable in our community. We offer care to the most hard to serve seniors. We plan to continue, in the proud Halton tradition of excellent care, to understand the needs of our residents and continuallyworkatenhancing theirqualityýf life. Sincerely, Adelina Urbanski Commissioner, Social and Community Services 1[esor our Whonda has joined our tearn. She cornes with rnany years of experience and is looking forward to seeing new and existing clients. WED 9-4 150 Main St. E. THURS & FRI 9-6 Milton $AT 9-4 M*R FRMCB 90- 75-0 33 i Il i I I