Here’s Where West Nile Virus Has Tested Positive in Halton
Published September 11, 2017 at 1:20 pm
Outdoor enthusiasts may want to be extra careful while out and about in Oakville, Burlington, Milton, and Halton Hills, especially if West Nile Virus (WNV) is top of mind.
Outdoor enthusiasts may want to be extra careful while out and about in Oakville, Burlington, Milton, and Halton Hills, especially if West Nile Virus (WNV) is top of mind.
Four human cases have been confirmed in Halton Region, according to public health officials.
Batches of mosquitoes recently trapped Georgetown have also tested positive for West Nile virus (WNV), making it the first confirmed sample in town this year.
As of last month, four batches tested positive in Oakville, two tested positive in Burlington, and one batch tested positive in Milton.
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We’ve asked the Region to break down the exact locations for us.
“The locations provided are general areas where the traps are located and not specific addresses,” said Halton Region spokesperson John Winkels.
Here’s where batches of mosquitoes were collected.
Oakville
· Cornwall Rd. and Chartwell Rd.
· 9th Line and Upper Middle Rd.
· North Service Rd. and Bronte Rd.
· South Service Rd. and Kerr St.
· Dundas St. and Fourth Line
Burlington
· Mt. Forest and Brant St.
· New St. and Guelph Line
· Waterdown Rd. and Hwy. 403
· Dundas St. and Hwy. 407
· Upper Middle Rd. and Walkers Line
Milton
· Thompson Rd. S. and Louis St. Laurent Ave.
· Thompson Rd. N. and Main St. E.
Georgetown
· Main St. S and Maple Ave.
The Halton Region health department “works diligently to reduce the risk of West Nile virus in our community through both education and preventative programs such as larviciding,” said acting Medical Officer of Health Dr. Daniela Kempkens.
Urban areas are more likely to have mosquitoes carrying WNV.
The types of mosquitoes that transmit WNV to humans most commonly breed in urban areas, typically in places holding water such as bird baths, plant pots, old toys, and tires.
Residents can take the following steps to protect themselves and their families from mosquitoes:
- Cover up. Wear light-coloured, long-sleeved shirts and pants with tightly-woven fabric.
- Use an approved insect repellent, such as one containing DEET or Icaridin.
- Avoid being outdoors from early evening to morning when mosquitoes are most active and likely to bite, as well as at any time in shady, wooded areas.
- Make sure your window and door screens are tight and without holes, cuts or other openings.
- Reduce mosquito breeding sites around your home by getting rid of all water-filled containers and objects, where possible. Change the water in bird baths at least once per week.
A map showing the locations of standing water sites that have had larvicide applied this year is available here.
Residents can phone 311 or e-mail [email protected] to report standing water at public facilities.