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www.insideHALTON.com | OAKVILLE BEAVER | Wednesday, June 19, 2013 | 8 Halton takes precautions against West Nile virus by Julia Le Metroland West Media With a wet spring that's typically followed by a bad mosquito season, people are being encouraged to protect themselves. Pesky bugs after all, have the potential of carrying West Nile virus (WNV), a potentially deadly illness that infected 23 Halton residents last year, according to Halton Region's WNV surveillance. Although 80 per cent of people who become infected with WNV do not experience any illness, Halton Regional Medical Officer of Health Dr. Bob Nosal said about 20 per cent will develop West Nile fever. "Less than one percent will develop inflammation of the brain or its lining, or a type of paralysis," he continued. "Older adults and people with underlying illnesses should be particularly cautious as they are more likely to develop the illness." Halton's health department has already begun preventative measures to reduce the risk of human infections of the virus that is transmitted to humans through the bite of an infected mosquito. Those measures include monitoring and In support of the many Veterans that granted us the opportunity to celebrate Canada Day for the 19 year, Oakview Funeral Home will again be placing a Canadian Flag on the graves of Veterans in Oakville. th If you have a loved one you would like to see honoured in this way, please contact Oakview Funeral Home to arrange for a flag to be placed on the grave. Flags will also be available at Oakview to anyone wanting to place a flag on a Veteran's grave outside of Oakville. Please contact Steven Reynolds, Funeral Director for more information at: Halton Region is gearing up for mosquito season and is practicing West Nile Virus prevention. Here, Lauren Thompson checks the water for mosquito larva. | photo by Hannah Yoon ­ Oakville Beaver Oakview Funeral Home by Arbor Memorial 56 Lakeshore Road West, Oakville, ON L6K 1C7 · 905-842-2252 Arbor Memorial Inc. treating mosquito-breeding sites like storm water, catch basins, and natural surface waters to reduce the mosquito population. Dimitra Kasimos, manager of enteric and vector-borne diseases at Halton Region, said of the more than 200 sites across Halton that are monitored at least once a week, eight were treated with larvicide from May 26 to June 1. She said although it's hard to predict whether it is going to be a bad season for WNV in June, the Region is staying on top of mosquito activity, and will be taking the appropriate measures to reduce the risks throughout the summer. It is in constant communication with local municipalities to clear out roadside ditches that can sometimes accumulate water. The Region also fields calls from residents reporting standing water in public places. "We do our own survey, but the more eyes out there (to catch mosquito breeding grounds), the more it helps us to see more areas we don't typically go to," said Kasimos, who has been working with the Region for nine years. She noted people in urban areas tend to be more affected by infected mosquitoes that have contracted WNV by feeding on the blood of birds carrying the virus. The mosquito species that most transmits WNV to humans in Halton is called Culex pipiens, also known as the rain-barrel or house mosquito, according to Halton Region. Culex pipiens does not usually live in swamps, bogs or marshes but lives in close association with humans. It prefers to breed in all types of neglected, water-holding objects found within cities and suburbs. see Take on p.11 www.oakville.ca Oakville Canopy Club Recreational Bike Ride July 26, 2013 Coronation Park, Oakville to Van Wagners Beach, Hamilton Join us as we leaf through Oakville's waterfront. The Oakville Canopy Club Silver Route is a leisurely three-hour (22 km) ride, with stops along Oakville and Burlington's waterfront, to promote the benefits of trees in our urban environment. Part of the Tour des Trees eh! one-day ride. Your $55 Silver Route registration fee includes · Bike shirt · Pre-ride breakfast snack and activities · Welcome from Oakville Mayor Rob Burton · Tree planting · Post-ride massage · Lunch at Baranga's on the Beach · Contribution to Canadian TREE Fund Registration and pre-ride activities: 8:30 a.m. Coronation Park, Oakville Ride start: 10 a.m.; Ride finish: 1 p.m.; Lunch: 1 ­ 3 p.m. Register at: www.canadiantreefund.org For more information: visit oakville.ca or contact ServiceOakville at 905-845-6601 | Maple Hill Tree Services Supported by: BioForest Technologies Inc. | COBS Bread Lakeshore Emerald Ash Borer Information Open House Learn more about the town's EAB management program and treatment options. Join us: Thursday, June 20, 2013, 7 to 9 p.m. Queen Elizabeth Park Community and Cultural Centre, 2302 Bridge Road Healthy public ash trees on streets and in parks across Oakville are being injected with TreeAzin® to protect them against the invasive Emerald Ash Borer (EAB). Dead and high-risk trees are being removed from streets, parks and woodlands for public safety and to curb the spread of EAB. With 80 per cent of Oakville's ash trees located on private property, it's important for residents to make an informed decision about the fate of their ash trees. Join us at our Open House where forestry staff will be on site to answer your questions. For more information, contact ServiceOakville at 905-845-6601, serviceoakville@oakville.ca or visit oakville.ca