Tuesday, August 25, 2015
Elgin St Thomas Public Health
West Nile Virus Found in Local Horse
Elgin County – Elgin St. Thomas Public Health has received notification that a horse in Eastern Elgin County has tested positive for West Nile Virus. This is the second reported equine positive West Nile Virus incident to occur in Ontario in 2015, and Elgin County’s 1st since 2004.
Elgin St. Thomas Public Health will continue to monitor for the presence of West Nile virus in the mosquito population through its mosquito trapping program. To date, no mosquito traps have tested positive for West Nile Virus in Elgin County for the 2015 season.
The Health Unit is reminding residents to take steps to protect themselves from being bitten by mosquitoes. This includes removing standing water from their property, covering up, and using repellants that contain DEET.
Other ways to help protect yourself and your family against West Nile Virus include:
- Wearing light-coloured clothing with longsleeves, pants and socks in areas where mosquitoes are present, especially at dusk and dawn when they are most active
- Following directions for use when applying insect repellent containing DEET, especially for children
- Fixing holes in screens, windows and doors
- Regularly emptying any standing water from garbage cans, wheelbarrows, toys, flowerpots and saucers, pool covers, tires, and other items around your home and yard
- Changing water in bird baths every other day
- Keeping pool pumps circulating
- Covering openings in rain barrels with screens
The majority of people (80%) who become infected with West Nile Virus do not feel sick.
Those who do become ill usually experience mild flu-like symptoms; fewer than 1% of people infected with the virus get seriously ill.
For more information about West Nile Virus go to: www.elginhealth.on.ca/wnv.
Media Contact:
Andrew Powell, Manager of Health Protection Programs
519-631-9900 ext 1277
|