continued from p.8 assess their risk and consider postponing travel to areas where the Zika virus is circulating in the Americas. Remain mindful of global threat with travel plans people not to travel at all," he said, providing the example of how the virus hasn't spread uniformly in any of the affected countries. "For example, in Mexico, the problem is limited to three states in Mexico, it's not the entire country," he said. Rau added, a Canadian traveller would likely be staying at a resort and in places where there is central air conditioning and closed screens, as opposed to those who have contracted the virus, who may not have air conditioning and are sleeping with their windows open, which makes them more susceptible to mosquito bites. Consider travel environment "I think travellers forget that their style of travel is more of the Texas lifestyle rather than the Mexican lifestyle when they're down south," he said. "I'm not saying there's zero risk, but I think we have to appraise the risk more reasonably." Rau added the evidence connecting Zika virus to microcephaly is still somewhat "circumstantial." `Guilty-until-proven-innocent' approach "The World Health Organization response can be described as a `guilty-untilproven-innocent' approach," he said, noting it's acting "out of an abundance of caution before there is definitive proof that this virus causes microcephaly in large numbers as is suspected in Brazil." Rau said hospital officials are keeping doctors informed about what symptoms they should watch for in patients and what countries are currently implicated. At the Regional level, Kasimos said the Health Department has issued a memo to its physicians regarding the Zika virus, which can be found on halton.ca, and will continue to monitor the situation and keep up with any new research that's being done. It's also monitoring the local mosquito population, although she said it is unlikely they will find a mosquito infected with the Zika virus. 11 | Friday, February 5, 2016 | OAKVILLE BEAVER | www.insideHALTON.com Strict mosquito bite prevention measures "If travel cannot be postponed, then strict mosquito-bite prevention measures should be followed to protect themselves against bites," stated the Public Health Agency of Canada on its website. It listed the level of risk at 2, practice special precautions, on a scale of one to four -- four, advising people to avoid all travel. Dr. Neil Rau, medical director of infection prevention and control for Halton Healthcare, said in light of the news, travellers might start cancelling their plans to countries where the Zika virus is present, but like the Public Health Agency of Canada, he's advising they talk to their doctor to assess the risk. "I think that's better advice than telling Whether you call it drywall, gypsum wallboard or sheetrock, it's all 100% recyclable to us. Documentation for LEED certification is available. Gypsum is a true closed-loop product, designed for your safety and to be infinitely recycled in to new drywall. Keeping you cozy! $ Furnace Tune-up *Offer Expires Feb 29, 2016 49 + hst Heating & Air Conditioning Residential or Commercial Heating & Air Conditioning Installation · Service · Maintenance. 905-847-0520 www.nwgypsum.com Located just off the QEW at 2182 WYECROFT ROAD, OAKVILLE www.haltonairexperts.ca · 289-218-8504 Winter ClearanCe SpeCialS Great Value Performer Classic Power Performer · 600 Air Watts · Powerful enough for even large homes. · Beam deluxe air ensemble · Complete set of attachments. · 7 year motor warranty. · GORE self-cleaning filter. EXPERIENCE THE HALTON VACUUM DIFFERENCE Limited quantities no back orders ELECTROLUX · 650 Air Watts of cleaning power · Super Quiet construction · Self cleaning filter · Metal construction · Complete with Ultra Air Ensemble kit · 7 year motor warranty · 500 air watts · Powerful enough for most homes · Deluxe Air Kit · Complete set of attachments Quiet Power Unit ON SALE NOW! · Deluxe CV air ensembles from $169.99 · CV Electric power head kits from $269.99 · Portable handvacs and stickvacs · Electrolux canister vacuums from $399.99 · All Miele portable vacuums on promotion · Visit our store for the complete assortment 500 Model #SC200 $ Only 46999 600 $ Only 56999 Model #060199 650 $ Only 66999 Model #SC275A Model #SC380B $ Save OFF M.S.R.P. $670.00 200 Model #060270 $ Save OFF M.S.R.P. $990.00 420 $ Save OFF M.S.R.P. $1,110.00 440 Model #060253 2379 Trafalgar Rd., Oakville · PORTABLE VACUUMS (905) 257-6145 · SALES · SERVICE · SELECTION · QUALITY BRANDS · INSTALLATION www.haltonvac.ca MON - THU: 10 - 5 / FRI, SAT: 10 - 3 CLOSED SUN