2009 West Nile Virus control program begins May 19

The Halton Region Health Department will begin its West Nile Virus (WNV) control and surveillance program on May 19, 2009. While the Health Department’s dead bird surveillance program has been discontinued, as a result of Provincial funding cuts, a comprehensive WNV program will still be carried out in Halton Region.

“Dead crows and blue jays have helped identify the presence of West Nile Virus but mosquitoes provide better information about West Nile Virus activity,” said Dr. Bob Nosal, Medical Officer of Health for Halton Region. “The Health Department will continue to use adult and larval mosquito surveillance to determine the health risk of West Nile Virus as a part of a comprehensive control program.”

Halton residents are reminded to take precautions when outside; avoid being outside at dusk and dawn, cover-up and wear insect repellent with DEET.

Residents can also have a positive impact on the mosquito population by removing or reporting any standing water where mosquitoes can grow. Standing water can be anything that collects water for seven days, such as bird baths, old tires, clogged eaves troughs, plant saucers or toys.

Halton Region will begin larvaciding when staff have identified mosquito larvae in catch basins or other areas of standing water. Locations that have received larvaciding can be found at www.halton.ca/wnv. Sites will also have a sign posted.

Support Our Sponsors