www.insideHALTON.com | OAKVILLE BEAVER | Thursday, August 25, 2016 | 36 Do your part to protect against West Nile virus: Halton Region Cover up, avoid outdoors during dusk and dawn, wear insect repellent and rid your property of standing water by Julia Le Oakville Beaver Staff Health "Connected to your Community" Halton residents are being reminded to protect themselves from mosquitoes. The pesky bugs, after all, have the potential of carrying West Nile virus (WNV), a potentially deadly illness. "Protecting yourself and your family from being bitten by mosquitoes is one of the top ways to prevent contracting West Nile virus," said Dr. HamiDr. Hamidah Meghani dah Meghani, Halton Region Medical Officer of Health, in a media release. "By covering up, avoiding being outside at dusk and dawn, wearing insect repellent with DEET or Icaridin and making sure there's no standing water on your property, you're helping to protect yourself from mosquito borne diseases." Other steps residents can take to protect themselves and their families from mosquitoes include: · Wearing light-coloured, long-sleeved shirts and pants with tightly-woven fabric; · Avoid being outdoors from early evening to morning when mosquitoes are most active and likely to bite, as well as at any time in shaded, wooded areas; · Reduce mosquito breeding sites around As part of its ongoing West Nile prevention program, Halton Region staff continually monitor areas of standing water, eliminate potential mosquito breeding sites and apply larvicide when mosquito larvae is found during Health Department monitoring and surveillance. Protecting yourself and your family from being bitten by mosquitoes is one of the top ways to prevent contracting West Nile virus. By covering up, avoiding being outside at dusk and dawn, wearing insect repellent with DEET or Icaridin and making sure there's no standing water on your property, you're helping to protect yourself from mosquito borne diseases. Dr. Hamidah Meghani Halton Region Medical Officer of Health Mosquitoes have the potential of carrying West Nile virus, which can be a potentially deadly illness. | stock photo your home by getting rid of all water-filled containers and objects, where possible. Change the water in birdbaths at least once per week; · Make sure your window and door screens are tight and without holes, cuts or other openings. Halton residents can also help reduce breeding grounds for mosquitoes by reducing areas on their property that may hold water, such as birdbaths, plant pots, old toys and tires, Halton Region advises. If residents see standing water on public property, they can report it to Halton Region by emailing accesshalton@halton.ca or dialing 311. A map showing the locations of standing water sites on public property that have had larvicide applied is available at halton.ca/ wnv. "Halton's public education and preventative programs are helping to reduce the spread of West Nile virus, while enhancing the health and well-being of our residents," said Halton Regional Chair Gary Carr in a media release. "Working together with the community, we can eliminate mosquito breeding grounds, helping to stop mosquitoes that can carry the virus." Why Do Oakville Families Trust Us with All Their Dental Needs? · Patient Counselling · Complete Diabetic Care · Home Visits · Consultations · Free RX Delivery DE RANGO PHARMACY INC 478 Dundas Street West | 905-257-9737 Canada Post CosmetiC & Family Dentistry · implants invisalign · Dentures... From start to Finish! DIAMOND Fabio De Rango Pharmacist/Owner Voted Oakville's Favourite Pharmacist & Pharmacy CROWN/DENTURE REPAIRS & RELINES, WHILE YOU WAIT Mon. - Fri. 9am - 6pm Saturday 9am - 1pm seniors DisCount Free Consultations New patients & ChilDren welcoMe OAKVILLE'S ONLY DENTAL OFFICE WITH A LAB ON PREMISES DE RANGO PHARMACY INC 2501 Third Line | 905-465-3000 Open 24 hours | 7 Days a Week www.shoppersdrugmart.ca 2274 Lakeshore Rd. W. (at East Street) Oakville 905-827-2066 · www.brontedentist.com Dr. Michael Vo d.m.d · Kim Chung d.d.