London, ON – Two dead birds, one found in North London and the other found in Dorchester, have tested positive for West Nile Virus (WNV), which are the first birds to test WNV positive this year in the Middlesex-London area.
“These birds let us know that West Nile Virus is present in our community and that we need to take the steps to protect ourselves and our families from mosquito bites, especially over the long weekend,” says Jeremy Hogeveen, Vector-Borne Disease Coordinator with the Middlesex-London Health. “We’d like the community to continue to help us detect and combat West Nile Virus by reporting dead crows and blue jays to the Health Unit and by eliminating standing water found on their property.”
Tips to protect yourself and your family against West Nile Virus:
- Wear 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.
- Use insect repellent with DEET. Follow directions for use, especially for children.
- Fix holes in screens, windows and doors.
- Regularly empty standing water from garbage cans, wheelbarrows, toys, flowerpots and saucers, pool covers, tires, and other items around your home and yard.
- Clean clogged eaves troughs.
- Clean and change water in bird baths every other day.
- Keep pool pumps circulating.
- Aerate ponds or stock them with fish.
- Cover openings in rain barrels.
The Health Unit’s Vector-Borne Disease Team monitors approximately 230 standing water sites located on public property each week. When vector mosquitoes are identified, a larvicide is applied to control the mosquito larvae. This is in addition to the treatment of roadside catch basins in London and Middlesex County. The Health Unit will also continue to test adult mosquitoes, crows and blue jays for WNV throughout the region.
To report a dead blue jay or crow, call 519-663-5317 ext. 2300 or visit www.healthunit.com/vector-borne-diseases-west-nile-virus and submit a dead bird notification online: www.healthunit.com/report-a-dead-bird.
Media Contact:
Trudy Sweetzir, Communications Assistant, 519-663-5317 ext. 2448
Spokesperson:
Jeremy Hogeveen, Vector-Borne Disease Coordinator, Middlesex-London Health Unit