London, ON – A mosquito trap and three dead birds found in London have tested positive for West Nile Virus. The positive mosquito trap, or pool, is located in the Springbank and Wharncliffe area and is the first to be found this summer with West Nile Virus positive mosquitoes. The latest dead birds were found in East London, and in London’s Old South and Masonville areas.

“The Health Unit has increased its surveillance and control efforts in those areas but is reminding people to protect themselves and their families from mosquito bites,” says Jeremy Hogeveen, Vector-Borne Disease Coordinator with the Middlesex-London Health Unit. “Removing standing water on your property is a great way to reduce the number of places mosquitoes can breed, while covering up or using repellants that contain DEET will protect you from the bugs.”

Other great tips to help protect yourself and your family against West Nile Virus include:

• Wearing light-coloured clothing with long-sleeves, pants and socks in areas where mosquitoes are present, especially at dusk and dawn when they are most active.
• When using an insect repellent with DEET follow directions for use, especially for children.
• 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 your home and yard.
• Changing water in bird baths every other day.
• Keeping pool pumps circulating.
• Covering openings in rain barrels.

The majority of people (80%) who become infected with West Nile Virus do not get sick. Those who do become ill usually experience mild flu-like symptoms; fewer than 1% of people infected with the virus get seriously ill.

The Health Unit’s Vector-Borne Disease Team has conducted weekly mosquito monitoring at some 250 standing water locations on public property since the beginning of May. Where mosquitoes capable of carrying West Nile Virus are identified, a larvicide is applied to control insect larvae. This is in addition to 35,000 roadside catch basins in London and Middlesex County already receiving two treatments this summer.

To report a dead crow or blue jay, call the Health Unit at 519-663-5317, ext. 2300 or visit: www.healthunit.com/westnilevirus.

Media Contact:
Alex Tyml, Online Communications Coordinator, Middlesex-London Health Unit, 519-663-5317 ext. 2560 or 226-236-1941 (cell.)

Spokespeople:
Jeremy Hogeveen, Vector-Borne Disease Coordinator, Middlesex-London Health Unit