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4 stoufivilk simtribune saturday may 19 2007 yofect yourself cover op wear repellent 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 af 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 sstsw3 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 em up 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 use an insect repellent for extra protection make sure screens on your home are tightfitting and in good repair h iie virus control plan for 2007 is multifaccted and indudes extensive public education mosquito control activities w measure for the control of west nile virus when sffige gfrhe mosquito larva from reaching matuniy de on private property jbbl if you ere 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 iarviade i screens to markham residents with rear ealth connection for details ssfxsv vi for more information about west nile virus contact york region health services health connection 18003615653 wwwyorkca region york region health services does not recommend the use of bat boxes as an effective method for mosquito control since during past summer seasons several bats have tested positive for rabies in york region