London, ON – The Middlesex-London Health Unit announced today that two more dead crows found in London have tested positive for West Nile Virus. One was found in the Old South area, while the second was discovered in Byron. So far this summer three dead birds in the region have tested positive for West Nile Virus, the first was announced on August 29th and had been found in the Hyde Park area.
“Everything associated with summer seems to be arriving late this year, and finding these dead birds have tested positive is no different. What this tells us is that the bugs are still biting and residents still need to protect themselves,” says Iqbal Kalsi, Manager of Environmental Health who leads the Vector-Borne Disease team. “Our staff members have placed mosquito traps in the areas where these birds were found to monitor the presence of West Nile Virus in the community.”
In addition to the three West Nile Virus positive birds, the Health Unit has identified four positive mosquito traps in the region: one each near London’s Sifton Bog, in the south end of Strathroy, in Dorchester and near the intersection of Wellington and Southdale Roads in London.
Wearing loose fitting, light-coloured long-sleeved tops and pants, and using an insect repellant which contains DEET are the best ways to prevent mosquito bites. The Health Unit also recommends residents avoid being outside near dawn and dusk when mosquitoes tend to be most active. Members of the public can also help control mosquito populations by emptying standing water where it accumulates on their property, including in eaves troughs, flower pots, children’s toys and old tires. It is also important to change water in birdbaths every other day and to add a fountain or pump to ornamental ponds.
As part of its ongoing prevention and surveillance program, the Health Unit’s Vector-Borne Disease Team has completed its third and final round of mosquito larvicide treatments to 35,000 catch basins across the region. Until fall’s first hard frost, Health Unit staff will continue to monitor some 225 standing water sites on public property and will control mosquito larvae capable of carrying West Nile Virus and other vector-borne diseases with a biological larvicide when necessary.
The Health Unit will also continue operating its Dead Bird and Tick Reporting Line. Anyone who finds a dead crow, a dead blue jay or a tick on a human being is asked to call 519-663-5317, extension 2300 with all the details of the find. Dead crows and blue jays may also be reported online by visiting www.healthunit.com/how-to-report-a-dead-blue-jay-or-crow.
Media Contact:
Trudy Sweetzir, Communications Assistant, Middlesex-London Health Unit, 519-663-5317 ext. 2448
Spokesperson:
Iqbal Kalsi, Manager of Environmental Health