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www.insideHALTON.com | OAKVILLE BEAVER | Friday, August 8, 2014 | 6 Editorial West Nile virus (WNV) has arrived in Halton, and residents are being reminded to protect themselves. People are advised to cover up and reduce mosquito breeding sites after a batch of the blood-sucking insects trapped in Milton in late July tested positive for the virus. Halton Region Health Department of cials reported these were the rst WNV-positive mosquitoes discovered in Halton this year. In 2013, the rst local batch of mosquitoes found carrying the virus was early in the season, but according to Halton's new Medical Of cer of Health, Dr. Hamidah Meghani, this year's positive result arrived right on schedule. "This is the time of year we start to see positive lab results for West Nile virus," she said last week. Mosquitoes can transmit WNV to humans after the insects become infected from feeding on the blood of birds that have the virus. WNV can be lifethreatening. In past years, the Region had asked residents to report dead bird sightings so the carcasses could be tested for WNV , however, the provincial government discontinued funding for the surveillance program in 2009. According to a Region spokesperson, the municipality focuses on larviciding, mosquito trapping and public eduction in the ght against WNV. Older adults and people with underlying illnesses should be especially cautious as they're more likely to develop the illness. As well as protecting themselves against mosquito bites, residents also need to get rid of mosquito breeding sites around their property until the WNV season winds down in the fall. According to the health department, mosquitoes that transmit WNV to humans most commonly breed in urban areas where man-made items that hold water, including birdbaths, plant pots, old toys and tires, are abundant. Residents are advised to decrease their risk of contracting WNV by: · Reducing mosquito breeding sites by removing all water- lled containers and objects and by changing the water in birdbaths at least once a week · Wearing long-sleeved shirts and pants with tightly-woven fabric · Avoiding the outdoors from early evening to morning when mosquitoes are most active and likely to bite · Using an approved insect repellent, such as one containing DEET · Making sure window and door screens are tight and without holes, cuts or other openings. While so far WNV-positive mosquitoes have only been collected in north Halton, we doubt it will be long before they are found in Oakville, too. "Connected to your Community" Letter to the Editor 447 Speers Road, Oakville ON, L6K 3S4 General Inquiries: (905) 845-3824 Editorial Department: (905) 632-0588 Classi ed Advertising: (905) 632-4440 Circulation: 5300 Harvester Rd., Burlington (905) 631-6095 WNV is lurking Volume 52 | Number 95 The Oakville Beaver is a division of Editorial and advertising content of the Oakville Beaver is protected by copyright. Unauthorized use is prohibited. Vice­President and Group Publisher of Metroland West Regional General Manager Halton Region Editor in Chief Advertising Director NEIL OLIVER DAVID HARVEY JILL DAVIS DANIEL BAIRD Managing Editor ANGELA BLACKBURN RIZIERO VERTOLLI Photography Director Business Manager Director of Production SANDY PARE MARK DILLS MANUEL GARCIA Production Manager Director of Distribution CHARLENE HALL KIM MOSSMAN Circulation Manager Proud Official Media Sponsor For: Canadian Circulations Audit Board Member Recognized for Excellence by Ontario Community Newspapers Association The Civic Holiday Monday storm washed out a large section of the eld in Sheldon Creek Park (top). It also damaged the new embankment along Sheldon Creek (above left) and uprooted trees and ooded several basements when the sewers backed up at Shelburne Place. | submitted photos Canadian Community Newspapers Association Storm did do damage at Sheldon Creek Re: Wet weather dampens Civic Day celebrations, Oakville Beaver, Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2014 We are a little puzzled to read that "Oakville was spared" in Monday's storm (p.1). The storm washed out a large section of the eld in Sheldon Creek Park, took out part of the new embankment along Sheldon Creek, and ooded several basements locally when sewers backed up on Shelburne Place. We have also heard reports from rst responders of ood troubles on Trafalgar Road at Lakeshore Road. I reported this damage to the Town Tuesday; I guess it's good I did. They have since started some preliminary repairs to the washed-out pathway, which is a good thing. We thought you would like to know. 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