York Region reports fourth positive West Nile virus mosquito pool

Newmarket: York Region Acting Medical Officer of Health, Dr. Hanif Kassam, advises that another mosquito pool has been tested and is reported as positive for West Nile virus (WNv) through the Microbiology Laboratory of Brock University's West Nile virus Investigative Unit.

The mosquitoes were trapped in the Town of East Gwillimbury, close to the intersection of Highway 48 and Mount Albert Road. The positive mosquito pool is the fourth this year in York Region, with three positive mosquito pools identified in August in the City of Vaughan. There were 14 positive mosquito pools reported last year in York Region.

West Nile virus activity has already been confirmed in the Town of East Gwillimbury in 2003, with three positive crows reported in July (one near the intersection of McCowan Road and Holborn Road, one near the intersection of Highway 48 and Holborn Road, and one near the intersection of Warden Avenue and Queensville Road).

The Region's first human case this season was reported in a Markham resident August 20th.

Trapping mosquitoes is part of the 2003 York Region WNv control plan. Traps are set up at various locations throughout the Region, with mosquitoes sent for testing. The latest pool of positive mosquitoes was trapped August 27, 2003.

"Even though the cooler weather is upon us, mosquitoes are still active and may bite," commented Dr. Kassam. "Personal protection remains one of the best methods to protect yourself against West Nile virus. It is important that residents continue to take the proper precautions and protective measures."

There are simple and common sense precautions that should be taken:

• Wear protective clothing such as long sleeved shirts, full-length trousers, socks, light coloured clothing and high boots
• Consider using an insect repellent containing DEET, as directed
• Minimize outdoor activities where and when mosquitoes are most active such as dusk, night and dawn
• Make sure screens on your home are tight-fitting and in good repair
• Mosquitoes breed in still water. Eliminate standing water around your property which may gather in pool covers, flower pots, children's pools, old tires and birdbaths

Contact: Patrick Casey, Senior Media Relations Specialist, York Region

(905) 830-4444 or (416) 297-9696, ext. 1235 or (905) 715-8211 (Cell)