West Nile file

Since the first North American case of West Nile virus was reported in 1999, messages about how Canadians can protect themselves abound each year. But in an April 2004 news release issued by Health Canada, Health Minister Pierre Pettigrew says, "Only four in 10 Canadians are taking steps to protect themselves against West Nile Virus."

Because infection can cause long-term health effects, it's important to do what you can to avoid contracting this virus. The following information from Health Canada can help you to keep yourself and your family safe during mosquito season.

Visit the links at the bottom of this article for more great sources of information on West Nile virus.

Get to know West Nile virus
West Nile virus is primarily transmitted to people through the bite of an infected mosquito. Evidence shows that many people infected with West Nile virus have mild symptoms, or no symptoms at all. People with weaker immune systems and people with chronic diseases, are at greater risk for serious health effects. Although the chance of being infected is low - and the percentage of those infected that develop severe health effects is even lower - everyone in an area that has West Nile virus activity is at risk, However, risk for serious health effects generally increases with age.

In 2003, over 1,300 Canadians became ill due to West Nile virus, and this new disease is in Canada to stay. So it is very important to reduce the risk to you and your family by taking steps to avoid mosquito bites.

What can I do to protect myself and my family?

The best way to avoid becoming infected with West Nile virus is to not get bitten by a mosquito. There are two ways to lessen the risk of mosquito bites for you and your family:

1. Protect yourself and your family from mosquito bites; and
2. Eliminate mosquito breeding sites around your home and vacation property.

By taking simple precautions to lessen your chance of being bitten by a mosquito, you can also lessen your chance of getting West Nile virus.

1. Protect yourself and your family from mosquito bites:

When going outdoors, use insect repellents that contain DEET or other approved ingredients

Wear protective clothing such as long-sleeved shirts, long pants and a hat. Light coloured clothing is best because mosquitoes tend to be attracted to dark colours

Make sure that door and window screens fit tightly and have no holes that may allow mosquitoes indoors

2. Eliminate mosquito breeding sites around your home and vacation property:

Mosquitoes lay eggs in standing water and it takes about four days for the eggs to grow into adults that are ready to fly. Even a small amount of water, for example, in a saucer under a flower pot, is enough to act as a breeding ground. As a result, it is important to eliminate as much standing water around your property as possible by:

Regularly (twice a week) draining standing water from items like pool covers, saucers under flower pots, recycle bins, garbage cans, etc.

Remove old unused items from around your property (i.e., old tires) which have a tendency to collect water

Change the water in wading pools, bird baths, pet bowls and livestock watering tanks twice a week

Cover rain barrels with screens

Clean out eavestroughs regularly to prevent clogs that can trap water.

Purchase an aeroator or ornamental pond. This will keep the surface water moving which will make the water inhospitable to mosquito larvae.

How about using pesticides?

Over-the-counter products that are designed to get rid of garden pests aren't effective for overall mosquito control. Regarding the use of other pesticides, only workers who are licensed by provincial authorities and are trained in the safe use of pesticides can carry out mosquito control programs. Decisions on whether or not to use pesticides to control the spread of West Nile virus in your community will be made by local and provincial health authorities.

As a first step, people should try to eliminate standing water on their property by, for example disposing of old tires and containers and cleaning out rain gutters. However, for wholly-contained sources of standing water on private property where draining is not a practical option, there are registered Domestic and Commercial-class mosquito larvicides available. These contain Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis (Bti), a naturally-occurring microbe that has minimal impact to health and the environment. For these products to be effective, users must follow the specific instructions on proper timing for their application. For more information, visit the Pest Management Regulatory Agency website.