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C4 - The Oakville Beaver, Wednesday May 7, 2003 What is West Nile virus? 1 he West Nile virus is a m osquito-borne virus. Infection may result in no sym ptom s, in mild illness such as 'Wesc Nile fever', or in serious neurologi cal illness such as encephaIitis(inHamm ation o f the brain). It is impossible to tell from a m osquito bite on the skin surface w hether the m osquito was carrying an infection such as West Nile virus. Research indicates | that approxim ately four o u t o f five people who are bitten by an infected mosquito do not show any sym ptom s. W hile most people w ho become infected will experience no sym ptom s or have very mild illness, for some, the sym ptom s will be pronounced. For a very rare few, the virus causes serious neurological illness ch as encephalitis. West Nile is spread to hum ans by the bite o f an infected m osquito. , Mosquitoes become infected when they bite an infected bird. · T h e virus is not spread by person-to-person contact through touching, coughing, sneezing, or drinking from th e same cup. · T here is some evidence that a person can be infected by handling a dead bird, however, the risk is very low. W ear gloves or use a thick plastic bag if you have to handle a dead bird. · West Nile virus is not known to be transm itted from m ammals, such as horses, to hum ans Use insect repellent C onsider using a personal insect repellent. Use only products that are federally-regulated such as those th at contain D E E T (N , N -diethyl-m -toluaniide). T he concentration o f D E E T should be no greater than 30% for adults and no greater than 10% for children. C heck the label tor more detailed inform ation or ask your pharm acist for assistance. Follow directions for use carefully. Apply repellent sparingly on exposed skin surfaces or on top o f clothing. Do not use under clothing. T h e repellent doesn't have to be applied heavily to be effective - a light coating will do Provides protection for decks, patios, lawns and pool areas Continuous 24-hour protection from mosquitoes, no-see-ums and biting insects M O S Q U IT O All-weather, round-the-clock performance Patented Counterfiow Technology based on 12 years of mosquito research # FIREPLACES & HOME DECOR MANOR H earth M anor D u n d a s S t. W e s t 2575 Dundas St. West, Mississauga (East of Winston Churchill) ( 9 0 5 ) 828-6645 email: hearthmanor(asympatico.ca