Summer season is here, and with summer comes mosquitoes.
Mosquitoes are a mostly a nuisance but certain mosquitoes can also be infected with the West Nile Virus. A bite from an infected mosquito can transmit the virus to people.
West Nile Virus can cause an infection in people with symptoms like, fever, muscle weakness, stiff neck, confusion, severe headache or sudden sensitivity to light. If you suffer from any of these symptoms, you should see your doctor immediately.
If you “Cover Up – Clean Up”, you can drastically reduce your chances of getting the West Nile Virus from an infected mosquito.
COVER UP:
- Wear long-sleeved shirts, long pants and socks
- Apply insect repellent containing DEET sparingly to exposed skin surfaces
- Stay indoors when mosquitoes are most active between dusk and dawn
CLEAN UP:
- Clean birdbaths weekly
- Maintain ornamental ponds and aerate them or stock them with larvae-eating fish
- Cover or turn over toys and equipment that can hold standing water
- Drill holes in the bottoms of containers that cannot be removed
- Place screens over rain barrels
- Fill hollow tree stumps and rot holes that hold water with sand or concrete
- Do not allow water to collect on pool covers
- Clean and chlorinate swimming pools and hot tubs
- Empty wading pools when they are not in use
- Clean roof gutters and remove standing water from flat roofs
- Cut the grass and reduce excess vegetation where mosquitoes seek shelter during the day
Remember: Chatham-Kent Standing Water by-law is in effect:
May 15 to September 30.
Call 519.355.1071 ext. 2902 for more information on the West Nile Virus or to report any potential infractions under the standing water by-law.