SASKATCHEWAN ENTERING WEST NILE VIRUS HIGH RISK PERIOD

The hot, wet weather experienced by most of the province is ideal for the development of Culex tarsalis mosquitoes, the most common carrier of West Nile Virus in Saskatchewan. As the risk of West Nile elevates, Saskatchewan's Chief Medical Health Officer is urging residents to take precautions when heading outdoors.

"Prevention is the best personal protection against West Nile," Saskatchewan's Chief Medical Health Officer Dr. Ross Findlater said. "With the increasing risk to human health, I urge everyone to protect themselves against mosquito bites."

Personal protective measures include the use of repellents; wearing long-sleeved, light-coloured clothing; avoiding being outdoors between dusk and dawn; and reducing standing water habitats in and around your property.

Throughout the summer, Saskatchewan Health monitors Culex tarsalis breeding pools for incidence of West Nile. Surveillance results are posted weekly at www.health.gov.sk.ca.

Because of an increase in West Nile-positive mosquitoes within the city of Estevan, spraying for adult mosquitoes could take place as early as the evening of Monday, July 23, weather permitting.

"The purpose of spraying is to decrease the risk of West Nile Virus in Estevan at a time when the risk of human disease is high and has the potential to increase," Findlater said. "It is a short-term measure to deal with a specific risk, and does not replace personal protective measures as the best defence."

All households in Estevan will be receiving a West Nile Virus and spraying informational sheet. Based on current mosquito surveillance, spraying is not being considered for other Saskatchewan communities at this time.

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For more information, contact:

Joan Petrie
Health
Regina
Phone: 306-787-4083
Email: jpetrie@health.gov.sk.ca