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Two mosquito batches collected this week in Mississauga have tested positive for West Nile Virus (WNV). One batch was collected near Hurontario Street and Burnhamthorpe Road East and the other near near Dixie Road and Dundas Street East. These are the first batches to test positive for WNV in Peel in 2015.
"Other regions in Ontario reported positive batches earlier this summer, so it’s no surprise that we have now found a positive batch here in Peel," says Paul Callanan, Director of Environmental Health at the Region of Peel. “We encourage residents to keep using personal protection measures and remove stagnant water mosquito breeding areas so they can continue to have a safe and healthy summer."
Residents should:
avoid areas with high mosquito populations
wear light-coloured clothing, including long sleeves, pants and a hat, to cover exposed skin, even in their own backyards
use an insect repellent and apply it according to the manufacturer's directions.
drain any areas of standing water on their property. Remove old tires, turn over pails, toys and wheelbarrows, frequently change the water in birdbaths, and keep eavestroughs clear
take extra precaution from dusk to dawn when mosquito activity is higher. If possible, stay indoors
"Residents can sign up for email notifications at peel-bugbite.ca to stay informed about WNV activity in the Region," said Callanan. "The website also has tips on how residents can protect themselves from WNV and has a standing water reporting tool."
Peel has no confirmed human cases of WNV this season. To date there have been five positive WNV-positive mosquito batches reported in Ontario: three in Windsor Essex, one in Haliburton-Kawartha -Pine Ridge District and one in Hasting Prince Edward Counties. There have been two confirmed human cases reported in Ontario, one in Waterloo and one in Niagara.
(Source: Peel Public Heath) |
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