WEST NILE VIRUS is spread through the bite of a mosquito. Anyone can get sick from the West Nile Virus, but the risk of serious illness increases with age. Symptoms can include; headaches, fever, sore neck, vomiting, muscle weakness and blurred vision.
MBQ will be participating in the West Nile Surveillance Program again this year and is held in conjunction with Health Canada.
The Environmental CHR will be setting traps which contain dry ice to entice and trap mosquitoes which will be submitted to the Entomogen INC., St. Catharines, ON. Each mosquito will be identified and analyzed for the West Nile Virus. This program will be conducted from July until October 2012. There will 4 traps set at various locations of our Territory.
Please ensure to educate our children if these traps are found and to ensure they are not disturbed, as they contain DRY ICE.
PROTECT YOURSELF FROM WEST NILE VIRUS
* Avoiding mosquito bites is your first line of defense
* Use mosquito repellent that contains DEET or other approved ingredients
* Wear light-coloured, loose-fitting clothing
* Wear long sleeved shirts, pants and a hat if you are going camping, hunting or into a wooded or swampy area
* Make sure door and window screens are in good shape
* When outdoors, place mosquito netting over strollers and playpens
* Take extra precautions when mosquitoes are most active; in the early morning and in the evening
CLEAN UP ALL STANDING WATER
* Mosquitoes can breed in even a small amount of standing water
* Get rid of standing water around your house
* Empty water from old tires, flower pots, rain barrels lids, toys and other out-door objects
* Store large outdoor items like canoes, wheelbarrows and wading pools upside down
* Replace water in outdoor pet dishes and other containers every other day
BIRD SURVIELLANCE PROGRAM
This program is being held in conjunction with Health Canada. We are asking the communities participation in this program, via sightings and reporting of suspicious deaths of Crows, Ravens, Blue Jays. These birds can be submitted for testing of the WNV. If the bird is in good condition upon finding and has not started decaying, please contact the Administration Office to report findings. The Env. CHR will conduct an inspection and prepare for submission to the Canadian Cooperative Wildlife Health Centre, Guelph, ON.
Other Species of Birds and Animals
CCWHC also carries out a surveillance program for diseases other than WNV in all species of wildlife. If you find the following specimens they may be submitted for an autopsy; Any water fowl, ducks, geese etc. Raptorial birds (hawks, owls, etc.