London, ON – The Middlesex-London Health Unit announced today that a mosquito trap and a dead bird found in London have tested positive for West Nile Virus. The positive mosquito trap, or pool, is located in the Southdale and Wellington area, while the dead crow was found in the Hyde Park area. The bird was submitted by a member of the public and sent to the Canadian Wildlife Health Cooperative (CWHC) at the University of Guelph, where it was tested and confirmed positive for West Nile Virus.
The bird is the first in London to test positive for the virus this summer, while the Health Unit had previously announced earlier this month that it had found West Nile positive mosquitoes in traps at the Sifton Bog, in the south end of Strathroy and in Dorchester.
“Finding West Nile Virus in a dead bird is part of our standard monitoring and surveillance program, yet it also provides an opportunity to remind people about preventing the virus from infecting human beings,” says Iqbal Kalsi, Manager of the Health Unit’s Vector-Borne Disease Team. “The best thing people can do is cover exposed skin, wear light-coloured long sleeved shirts or pants, and use insect repellants than contain DEET. But there are other ways they can help fight West Nile Virus, too.”
In addition to personal protection, the Health Unit also recommends:
- Fixing holes in screens, windows and doors.
- Regularly emptying standing water from garbage cans, wheelbarrows, toys, flowerpots and saucers, pool covers, tires, and other items around the home and yard.
- Cleaning clogged eaves troughs.
- Cleaning and changing water in bird baths every other day.
- Keeping pool pumps circulating.
- Aerating ornamental ponds or stocking them with fish.
- Covering openings in rain barrels.
The Health Unit has treated more than 20 hectares of surface water this year. As part of its on-going prevention program, the team has also conducted approximately 90,000 catch basin treatments in the city and county and is continuing to monitor standing water sites on public property.
The Health Unit is still asking residents to assist in its dead bird surveillance efforts. Dead crows or blue jays should be reported by calling 519-663-5317, ext. 2300 or by using the on-line reporting form on the Health Unit’s website at: www.healthunit.com/how-to-report-a-dead-blue-jay-or-crow.
Media Contact:
Dan Flaherty, Communications Manager, Middlesex-London Health Unit, 519-663-5317 ext. 2469 or 519-617-0570 (cell)
Spokesperson:
Iqbal Kalsi, Environmental Health Manager, Vector-Borne Disease Team