www.oakvillebeaver.com The Oakville Beaver Weekend, Saturday August 16, 2008 - 7 InMotion Dance Inc. West Nile virus confirmed in Oakville GREAT NEWS! Dead bird tests positive in southeast Oakville By David Lea OAKVILLE BEAVER STAFF Officials from Halton Region's Health Department are calling on residents to protect themselves from mosquito bites after a dead blue jay found in Oakville tested positive for West Nile virus (WNv). The blue jay, which was discovered on Monday in the area of Cornwall and Chartwell roads, is the first WNv positive bird found in Halton this year. It likely won't be the last, though. A dead crow that was located on Tuesday in the Fourth Line and Rebecca Street area is also expected to test positive for the virus. The presence of the virus in Halton is nothing new with WNv consistently being found in the region since 2001, said Dr. Monir Taha, Halton's associate medical officer of health. "It's become a predictable, annual thing. Typically around the beginning of August we get our first physical detection of WNv," he said. "We find it first in birds and then usually not too long thereafter, the mosquitoes that we've been testing since the beginning of the summer will start to turn positive for WNv too. All this indicates that the amount of WNv that's out there in birds and mosquitoes is increasing and therefore the chances for people to get sick with WNv increases too." Taha noted the record wet summer has been a mixed blessing for Wnv. While the excessive rain has provided mosquitoes with plenty of places to breed, Taha said the lack of heat waves has slowed down the virus's growth somewhat. Because the virus is so weather dependent, Taha said it is difficult to say whether this will be a good or bad year for Wnv. Either way, the Region is taking precautions and residents are advised to do the same. "We're continuing our control program, which is mainly to prevent mosquitoes from emerging as adult mosquitoes. We have larvicide programs for stormwater catch basins, stormwater management ponds and other surface waters where mosquito larva are detected," said Taha. "So, we're continuing that, but people have their own role to play." Taha noted that people can protect themselves from infected mosquitoes by covering up with white coloured, long-sleeved shirts and pants with tightly woven fabric. Using an approved insect repellent, such as one containing DEET is also recommended, as is limiting time outdoors at dawn and dusk when mosquitoes are most active and likely to bite. The number of mosquitoes in an area can also be reduced by emptying out water-filled containers where mosquitoes like to breed. The water in a birdbath, for example, should be changed at least once a week to prevent mosquitoes from making use of it. While preventing exposure to mosquitoes is important, getting bitten by one, even if it is infected with WNv, is not necessarily the end of the world. "Most people actually do very well if they get WNv. They may not even notice that they've caught it at all. Some people just have a mild illness with a bit of fever and then they're perfectly back to normal," said Taha. "Unfortunately some people, and the risk increases as you get older, do have severe illness and some of those never recover fully. They have long-standing health problems afterwards and, very rarely, the disease causes death even." So far this year, the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care is reporting one `probable/confirmed' human case of WNv in Ontario. Anyone who would like to report a dead bird or standing water or for more information about WNv can call Halton Region at 905 825 6000, toll free 1 866 4HALTON (1-866-442-5866), TTY 905827-9833 or e-mail wnv@halton.ca. Effective September 1, 2008 our new and spectacular location will be at: InMotion Dance Inc. 1109 North Service Rd. East Oakville, Ontario L6H 1A6 For information or general inquiries, contact us at (905) 271 8882 or email christine@inmotiondance.com InMotion Dance Inc. Registration begins August 25 - 29 from 4:30 pm to 8:30 pm is moving to a new at our new location! For more details about InMotion location and into the Dance go to existing space of West www.inmotiondance.com End Studio Theatre. After 5 years of collaboration on various projects, these two artistic entities can continue working bothtogether and individually under one roof.! Sisters Lisa and Christine Brkich are excited to bring their love of dance to this fabulous and more spacious location in Oakville. Proof Sheet This new site will better suit the needs of InMotion's talented students and growing clientele, offering Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Modern, and Hip Hop. We are also pleased to announce the addition of new classes such ACRO and LATIN BALLROOM Given that two complimentary businesses exist in one space, our students will also have access to enrolling in WEST's Date: various Acting programs including Musical Theatre, TV and Stage Acting. All classes offer quality instruction for students 4 and up. Now with two studios available to better service their clientele, InMotion offers more classes more frequently. So be sure to keep your eyes and ears open to the new happenings that are sure to be set "inmotion" We hope to meet you soon, Christine and Lisa Brkich InMotion Dance Owners, Operators, Sisters, and Dancers-For-Life ... Changing the world one plie at a time! Your Pool Is Our Reputation Nominated Best Pool Company in Oakville t Summer Swing Soiree Thursday The fifth annual Summer Swing Soirée is on Thursday, Aug. 21 at Sunrise Senior Living of Oakville. Featuring the Toronto All-Star big band, the event will take place from 5-7 p.m. at Sunrise, which is located at 456 Trafalgar Rd. Admission costs $10 and will include an afternoon of music, dancing, singing, barbecue and refreshments. The event is in support of the Oakville Trafalgar Memorial Hospital Rehab Step Up program. For more details and to purchase tickets, call Sara, Laura or Tanya at 905-337-1145. MAKE THE MOST OUT OF YOUR SUMMER DON'T DELAY! Pud By Steve Nease snease@haltonsearch.com FREE SALT WITH EVERY INSTALL BOOKED. *WHILE SUPPLIES LAST* www.uniquepools.ca 905-304-4774 or 1-866-929-4774 BOOK NOW SWIM NOW SAVE NOW