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h0 reptfrtedvcases wstrillleyillqisrnyorkre6ion name one i ir bydawnuersch staff writer york region health officials are warn ing residents to watch for dead birds and to protect themselves from mosquitoes while travelling as the threat of the west nile virus moves closer to home in a media advisory released friday york region health services reported the west nile virus which can be trans mitted by mosquitoes from birds to humans has been identified in several american states including connecticut new jersey massachusetts and new york most recently in buffalo american incidents because of the close proximity of ontario to buffalo and the similar cli- mate conditions there is a possibility local migratory birds that spent the win ter in the us may have been infected by mosquitoes and returned to the province the advisory warned butfaronkolbe manager of infec tious diseases with york region health services recently told the economist suntribune protective measures have been set up inontariofor months with hope that should the virus arrive here it will be detected before there are prob lems hie risk of west nile virus is remote but the possibility is there we want to be prepared he said skolbesaid health officials have been monitoring chicken coops in six areas of tfie province since june testing the chickens blood for the virus and collect- ing mosquitoes with light traps to deter- mmejvhetherthe mosquito that carries the virus has entered ontario sites include brppkville picton guelph niagara long point and point pelee preventive spraying programs aimed at suppressing mosquitoes are also being conducted in areas in the us whefethe virus lias been identified on virus surveillance procedures have also been conducted in 59 ontario hospitals since july in which hospitals are to report to health officials any suspected cases of west nile virus symptoms of the virus include fever headaches and body aches the elderly and young children are most at risk of dying from the virus york residents are also being asked to report any dead birds excluding pigeons doves seagulls starlings and grackles that have not died from nat ural causes such as flying into a window hitting a car or being killed by predatory animals according to york region health services margaret mccaffrey a health inspec tor and educator with york region health services said crows and bluejays are most susceptible to tire virus- she stressed residents should report dead bird sightings only if the birds died recently andappearto have died from unusual causes theyll then be sent to a laboratory in guelph for tests neurological problems were looking for birds exhibiting neurological problems she said mccaffrey said 350 birds from ontario have been tested so far 31 of those being from york region no birds have tested positive for the virus to date she said although people cant catch the virus from the birds she warned them to first call the health unit with anydead bird sightings before moving them if health officials cant immediately respond to pick up the dead bird it should be picked up using gloves dou blebagged and stored in a cooler or freezer for more information or to report a dead bird sighting call york region health services at 895451 1 regional municipality of york public meeting the regional municipality of york invites members of the public to review and provide comments on the draft report and reconjmendatiohs of a human services strategy for york region human services are the programs and services that support a safe healthy communityand maintain arid promote its quality of life dates and locations vy- i municipality date time location newmarket tuesdaaugustl5tti- 700900 pm town of newmarket offices cane room 395mulockdrk newmarket- markham thursday august 1 7th r 700900 pm town of markham offices canada room 101 town centre blvd markham georgina v tuesday august 22nd v700900pm j sutton public library 5279 black river rd sutton city of vaughan i thursday august 24th 700900 pm city of vaughan offices council chambers 2141 major mackenzie dr vaughan forfurther information please call the human services strategy project office at 18774649675 ext 1216 or visit the wwwregionvorkonca the human sewicesstrategy is an initiativeoftheregionalrtunicipality of york withfiindjng assistance provided in- part by human resources develophjent canada sa x2 j it causes blindness kidney failure amputations strokes and heart attacks iumui t u wl j clop jutvks it tni kuj u j kiij iini iikhuiknin ompluiuon vo cuj u help diabetes yoiir gift goes a long wuy- this message brought to you as a community service of the economist suntribune pentiurn gateway countrys the best place to buy a pc pcmgazhie editors choice award see for yourself neighbour j here are plenty of reasons why people love shopping at gateway country for starters allot our gateway performance pcs are up running and ready for a testdrive our knowledgeable salespeople offer answers 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