June9 Larviciding PSA

NEWMARKET - York Region begins the first phase of the West Nile virus larviciding program on Tuesday June 10, 2003. Members of the media are invited to learn more about the procedure first-hand at a media briefing/photo opportunity event.

What: Application of larvicide into catch basin and opportunity to ask questions

When: Tuesday, June 10, 2003
9:30 a.m.

Where: Intersection of Batson Drive and Moorecrest Drive, Aurora
             (Batson Drive runs east off Yonge Street, south of St. John's Sideroad)
             This is considered one of the "hot spot" areas.
             A positive mosquito pool was identified in this neighbourhood in 2002.

Who:

Dr. Hanif Kassam, Associate Medical Officer of Health and Director of Public Health Programs for York Region Health Services
Pestalto Environmental Products Inc. working crew

Background:

Larviciding is a safe and effective measure for the control of West Nile virus. The slow-release pellet formulation interferes with the mosquito life cycle, preventing the mosquito larva from reaching maturity and reproduction. It is not sprayed. The products have been approved by both the provincial and federal governments and are considered safe for humans and the environment
In phase one, larvicide will be placed into catch basins within a two kilometre radius around locations where positive human, bird and mosquito cases of West Nile virus were identified in 2002 and, to date, in 2003. Additional applications this season will target catch basins across York Region
This phase of the larviciding program will commence June 10 and is scheduled to be completed by June 27, 2003, weather dependent. The larvicide will be applied by Ministry of the Environment licensed applicator Pestalto Environmental Products Inc.
It was announced on Friday that another dead crow had been tested and is now confirmed positive for West Nile virus (WNv ). The dead crow was found in the Town of Aurora on June 1st, close to the intersection of Bayview Avenue and Wellington Street East. The bird is the second positive bird reported in York Region this year. The first positive bird was found in the Town of Newmarket, close to the intersection of Leslie Street and Mulock Drive

For more information on West Nile virus or details on exact locations and dates of larvicide treatment, call Health Connection at 1-800-361-5653 or visit www.region.york.on.ca and click on West Nile virus.

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Contact: Kim Clark, York Region Health Services

905-830-4444 Ext. 4101

Larviciding program to begin