West Nile Virus Control Program Begins

Halton Region is beginning its 2008 West Nile virus control program. The Health Department will begin dead bird surveillance on Monday, May 12, by asking residents to report dead bird sightings by calling 905-825-6000, toll free 1-866-4HALTON (1-866-442-5866), TTY 905-827-9833, or email wnv@halton.ca. When you report a dead bird, please provide as much of the following information as possible, including:

• Type or description of the bird
• Address or closest intersection to where the bird is located
• The length of time the dead bird has been there

Staff may collect and submit dead crows and blue jays for viral testing if suitable. If Health Department staff do not collect the bird for testing, they will tell you how to dispose of it safely. Although the Health Department is interested in sightings of all dead birds, they will not be collecting all dead birds.

“West Nile virus surveillance and control is something that as a community, we can all have an impact upon,” said Gary Carr, Halton Regional Chair. “It is a great advantage to us if residents report dead bird sightings and remove standing water from their properties. With your cooperation we can have a positive impact in helping to safeguard the health of our community.”

WNV is spread through bites from infected mosquitoes. Although 80% of those infected will have no symptoms, 20% of those infected will have fever, headache, muscle ache, and rash.

Standing water that has been sitting for seven days or more can create an ideal breeding ground for mosquitoes. Standing water often collects in objects like birdbaths, old tires, toys, plant saucers, or clogged eaves troughs. Residents are encouraged to ensure that water does not accumulate in these types of objects, or to remove them when possible.

“We have consistently found West Nile virus activity in Halton’s bird population since 2001, and in the mosquito population since 2002,” said Dr. Bob Nosal, Halton’s Medical Officer of Health. “Bird and mosquito surveillance activities and larviciding are all parts of our comprehensive control program. There were only two probable cases of West Nile virus infection diagnosed in Halton last year.”

Halton Region will begin its mosquito larviciding program when staff have identified mosquito larvae in catch basins or areas of standing water. Locations that have received larviciding will have a sign posted and will be listed on Halton Region’s website, www.halton.ca/wnv.

To report a dead bird or for more information about WNV, please contact Halton Region at 905-825-6000, toll free 1-866-4HALTON (1-866-442-5866), TTY 905-827-9833, visit our website at www.halton.ca, or email wnv@halton.ca.

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