Shiloh
Editor, Senior Moderator
Source: http://www2.canada.com/abbotsfordtimes/news/story.html?id=35d75225-3688-4610-bbb0-87d6a3007f78
Two B.C. residents hit with West Nile
Fraser Health keeping a close eye on the virus, but not making any changes yet
Mike Chouinard, The Times
Published: Tuesday, September 08, 2009
West Nile virus has finally arrived in B.C., and while health officials in the region are paying attention to the situation, they are not in emergency mode at present.
Two B.C. residents in the Okanagan were recently reported to have contracted the virus, marking the first time someone has picked it up while in B.C. provincial health authorities reported in late August that a Kelowna resident had picked up the virus while another person in the same household was suspected to have contracted it. They had been travelling in the central and south Okanagan.
"These human cases are the first two human cases," FHA West Nile virus co-ordinator Randy Heilbron said. "It's not a big West Nile season."
All previous cases of B.C. residents contracting West Nile virus in the past had occurred when people travelled outside the province.
Despite the latest diagnosis, officials from the Fraser Health Authority are not changing any current initiatives this year, but will be monitoring the situation over the next few weeks for any further developments.
"It hasn't really changed our game plan," Heilbron said. "Obviously, we're pretty interested in what's going on in the Interior."
Heilbron said the cases in Kelowna do not seem to be part of any concentrated outbreak of West Nile and these cases have arrived late in the year.
"The mosquito season is winding down," Heilbron said.
The FHA still wants to educate the public about taking precautions at this time of the year to avoid being bitten by mosquitoes that might be carrying the virus, especially if people are travelling to the Interior or to the U.S. However, Heilbron said people should be aware there are specific types of the insects that are carriers.
He also said FHA officials should have more information in the next few weeks, and they will be talking with the B.C. Centre for Disease Control about what strategies are being taken in the Interior.
The Fraser Valley Regional District has been operating a mosquito control program that involves applications to control insect populations.
They also have a successful tire pickup program aimed, in part, to get rid of tires that can provide a receptacle for stagnant water and for mosquitoes to breed.
Health officials offer some advice on how to protect yourself from
mosquitoes:
- If you can, avoid being out around dusk and dawn as mosquitoes that carry West Nile virus tend to be active at these times.
- Wear protective clothing, especially outside in the early evening and at dawn. Tuck your pants into socks for extra protection.
- Avoid dark-coloured clothing, as it can attract mosquitoes.
- Use mosquito netting for babies and toddlers in cribs and strollers.
- Use mosquito repellent. Putting on personal insect repellents that are federally registered, such as those that contain DEET, is an effective way to protect yourself from mosquito bites.
Two B.C. residents hit with West Nile
Fraser Health keeping a close eye on the virus, but not making any changes yet
Mike Chouinard, The Times
Published: Tuesday, September 08, 2009
West Nile virus has finally arrived in B.C., and while health officials in the region are paying attention to the situation, they are not in emergency mode at present.
Two B.C. residents in the Okanagan were recently reported to have contracted the virus, marking the first time someone has picked it up while in B.C. provincial health authorities reported in late August that a Kelowna resident had picked up the virus while another person in the same household was suspected to have contracted it. They had been travelling in the central and south Okanagan.
"These human cases are the first two human cases," FHA West Nile virus co-ordinator Randy Heilbron said. "It's not a big West Nile season."
All previous cases of B.C. residents contracting West Nile virus in the past had occurred when people travelled outside the province.
Despite the latest diagnosis, officials from the Fraser Health Authority are not changing any current initiatives this year, but will be monitoring the situation over the next few weeks for any further developments.
"It hasn't really changed our game plan," Heilbron said. "Obviously, we're pretty interested in what's going on in the Interior."
Heilbron said the cases in Kelowna do not seem to be part of any concentrated outbreak of West Nile and these cases have arrived late in the year.
"The mosquito season is winding down," Heilbron said.
The FHA still wants to educate the public about taking precautions at this time of the year to avoid being bitten by mosquitoes that might be carrying the virus, especially if people are travelling to the Interior or to the U.S. However, Heilbron said people should be aware there are specific types of the insects that are carriers.
He also said FHA officials should have more information in the next few weeks, and they will be talking with the B.C. Centre for Disease Control about what strategies are being taken in the Interior.
The Fraser Valley Regional District has been operating a mosquito control program that involves applications to control insect populations.
They also have a successful tire pickup program aimed, in part, to get rid of tires that can provide a receptacle for stagnant water and for mosquitoes to breed.
Health officials offer some advice on how to protect yourself from
mosquitoes:
- If you can, avoid being out around dusk and dawn as mosquitoes that carry West Nile virus tend to be active at these times.
- Wear protective clothing, especially outside in the early evening and at dawn. Tuck your pants into socks for extra protection.
- Avoid dark-coloured clothing, as it can attract mosquitoes.
- Use mosquito netting for babies and toddlers in cribs and strollers.
- Use mosquito repellent. Putting on personal insect repellents that are federally registered, such as those that contain DEET, is an effective way to protect yourself from mosquito bites.