| What is the West Nile Virus? |
| West Nile Virus is a mosquito-borne
virus that can rarely cause encephalitis. The virus was named after
the West Nile region of ganda, where it first appeared in 1937. The
risk of becoming seriously ill as a result of infection with West
Nile Virus is low and most people who become infected experience no
symptoms or have very mild illness. |
|
How is the virus spread? |
West Nile Virus is spread
to humans by the bite of an infected mosquito. Mosquitoes become
infected by biting an infected bird. In addition, it is believed that
West Nile Virus may be
transmitted through transplanted organs, blood transfusions and breast
milk. The virus is not
spread by direct person-to-person or animal-to-human contact.
 |
| Move
to top |
| How can I control mosquitoes in
and around your home |
As most mosquitoes
need standing water to lay their eggs, the best way to
keep mosquitoes away is to clean up areas where they like to breed:
Standing water: |
|
• Dispose of or turn upside down water-holding,
outdoor containers.
• Empty standing water from used or discarded tires.
• Drill holes in the bottom of unused container so
water can’t collect.
• Turn over wheelbarrows.
• Change the water in birdbaths weekly.
• Cover rainwater barrels with a mesh or screen.
• Don’t allow any outside water to stand for
more than a week.
Swimming or wading pools:
• Clean and chlorinate outdoor
pools and hot tubs.
• Immediately remove water that collects on pool covers.
• Make sure the pool’s pump is circulating water properly.
• Turn over wading pools when not in use.
• Aerate ornamental pools, stock them with fish, or
change water weekly.
Eaves and drains:
• Clear leaves and twigs from
eaves, storm and roof gutters throughout the summer.
• Make sure drainage ditches are not clogged.
• Check flat roofs frequently for standing water
Yards and lawns:
• Immediately dispose of lawn cuttings,
raked leaves, or other decaying debris.
• Remove fallen fruit or berries from the ground.
• Turn over your compost frequently.
• Fill in low depressions in lawn areas.
• Clear out dense shrubbery where mosquitoes like to breed
and rest.
• Work with your neighbours to identify potential mosquito
breeding areas.
Windows:
• Check window screens for holes and
make sure they fit snugly into the window frame.
• If you don’t have screens, keep windows closed between
the hours of dusk and dawn
|
| Move
to top |
| Protect yourself |
Mosquitoes are most active
between dusk and dawn. If you need to be outside during this time
be sure to cover up: wear shoes, socks, long pants and long-sleeved
shirts. Clothing should be
lightly coloured and made of tightly woven materials. You may also
consider using insect
repellent. Keep these tips in mind:
•Only use insect repellents that are registered
in Canada and look for those that contain DEET (N, N-diethyl-m-toluamide).
•Read the repellent’s directions carefully and ask your family
physician for assistance if you have any questions.
•Apply repellent sparingly on exposed skin surfaces or on
top of clothing, never
underneath clothing.
•Do not use repellent on open wounds or irritated or sunburned
skin.
•Wash skin with soap and water when protection is no longer
needed.
•If the repellent enters your eyes, rinse them with water
right away.
•Avoid breathing the mist from spray-type repellent and apply
in well-ventilated areas,
never in a tent.
•Do not use insect repellent near food.
•Keep all insect repellent containers out of the reach of
children.
•Always supervise the application of repellent on children.
•Check for sensitivity: apply repellent to a small area of
skin on the arm and wait 24
hours before regular use.
|
| Move
to top |
| How do I tell if a mosquito bite
is serious? |
Most mosquito bites cause
itching and minor irritation. A small percentage can lead to serious
infection such as West Nile Virus. If you have any of the following
symptoms, seek medical help right away:
• Fever
• Muscle weakness
• Stiff neck
• Confusion
• Severe headache
• Sudden sensitivity to light
• Extreme swelling or infection at the site of the
mosquito bite
|
| What if I spot a dead bird? |
| Fraser Health and the
BC Centre for Disease Control staff have a collection system in
place for
monitoring the number of dead corvids (crow, ravens, jays and magpies)
to detect any increases
in corvid mortality over space and time. This information is highly
useful for West Nile Virus
surveillance. The public does NOT have to report or collect dead
birds. For more information,
please contact the Fraser Valley Health Authority at 1-888-968-5463.
|
| For more information, please visit... |
B.C.
Centre for Disease www.bccdc.org
City of White Rock www.city.whiterock.bc.ca
Province of B.C.
www.bchealthguide.org
Fraser Valley Health www.fraserhealth.ca
|
| |
| Move
to top |
