Residents of South East Saskatchewan will need to take extra precautions during the upcoming long weekend and the rest of the summer to decrease their risk of West Nile virus (WNV) infection, warned Sun Country Health Region's Medical Health Officer, Dr. Shauna Hudson, recently.
She said the risk of West Nile virus is beginning to increase. "The numbers of Culex tarsalis mosquitoes being caught in the mosquito surveillance traps in SCHR is increasing and we expect they will probably peak in the next couple of weeks," Hudson said.
There have been no WNV infected mosquitoes reported in Saskatchewan yet but with the current conditions, Dr. Hudson expects West Nile virus positive mosquitoes will be reported in the surveillance traps in Sun Country Health Region in the next couple of weeks. "It's likely there are WNV infected mosquitoes in southern Saskatchewan already."
"People can reduce their risk by getting rid of mosquito-friendly places in their yards and by taking personal precautions to avoid being bitten by mosquitoes in the places where they live, work and play," Hudson explained.
"People who work outside and families who are out camping and enjoying parks and lakes throughout southern Saskatchewan need to make sure they take precautions to avoid being bitten by mosquitoes, especially at dusk and dawn."
To decrease the risk of West Nile virus infection, Dr. Hudson is advising residents to take precautions to reduce their exposure to West Nile virus throughout the rest of the summer.
She recommends people follow the "Five Ds."
FIVE Ds:
Wear a good insect repellant with DEET. Apply according to directions.
DRAIN standing water. Mosquitoes require water to complete their life cycle. Eliminate or reduce all sources of standing water where mosquitoes can lay eggs like wading pools, wheelbarrows, containers, eaves troughs, rain downspouts and gutters, pet dishes and birdbaths, etc. Reduce places in the yard where adult mosquitoes can thrive like tall grasses and weeds.
Avoid going out during DUSK and DAWN. The mosquitoes that carry West Nile virus are most active at dawn and dusk and also in the early evening. They are especially active for two hours after sunset.
DRESS appropriately. Wear long sleeves and long pants (wear light-weight clothing to minimize the potential for heat-induced illnesses). Mosquitoes may be more attracted to individuals wearing perfumes and colognes.
Mosquito-proof the home. Make sure that DOORS and windows have tight fitting screens. Repair or replace screens that have tears or holes.
The mosquito surveillance program in Sun Country Health Region began early in June using mosquito traps that have been set up in three communities within the Region.
The Ministry of Health assigns a WNV risk on a weekly basis in the summer. The risk in SCHR is now rated as "moderate."
See http://www.health.gov.sk.ca/west-nile-risk for more information about West Nile Virus Risk levels.
For more information on West Nile Virus, go to the Sun Country Health Website at www.suncountry.sk.ca and http://www.suncountry.sk.ca/service/112/88/west-nile-virus-wnv.html or the Saskatchewan Government website at www.health.gov.sk.ca/west-nile-virus.
