No WNV-positive mosquito pools found in Caledon

August 26, 2016 · 0 Comments

Peel Public health reports there were 11 mosquito pools that tested positive for West Nile Virus (WNV) the week ending Aug. 13, but none of them were in Caledon.
Seven of those pools were in Brampton and the other four were in Mississauga. That makes a total of 19 that have been found in the region so far this summer, and 13 of them have been in Brampton, with the rest in Mississauga.
The health department reports there have been no human cases of the disease in Peel, or anywhere else in Canada this year. There have been 28 mosquito pools that tested positive in Ontario (including the 19 in Peel). As well, there was one pool found in Quebec and another in Saskatchewan.
Peel’s adult mosquito surveillance program started in June. Adult mosquitoes are collected weekly from mosquito traps at 31 fixed locations throughout the region until late September.
To date, 359 mosquito batches have been tested for WNV.
The larviciding program continues. Larviciding involves applying environmentally-friendly products to reduce mosquito larvae in stagnant water. The program started June 1 and will continue until Sept. 30.
It takes three weeks to complete a round of larviciding. There will be three rounds of roadside catch basin larviciding this year. The first round of roadside catch basin larviciding was completed July 15. Larviciding crews are currently starting the second round of catch basin treatments in Mississauga. This round is indicated by a purple dot affixed to the catch basin grate.
Larviciding of catch basins in the green spaces of parks in Peel has been completed. The treatment of surface water sites on public lands is ongoing.
The Region is reminding residents they can reduce the risk of WNV by removing stagnant water on their property. Empty or dispose of containers that can hold water, such as old tires, wheelbarrows, barrels, pails, toys and recycling bins; turn over wading pools, remove water that collects on pool covers; and make sure swimming pool pumps are circulating.
People can also protect themselves from being bitten by mosquitoes by avoiding areas with large numbers of mosquitoes; wearing light-coloured clothing, including long sleeves, long pants, socks and a hat whenever outdoors (even in the backyard), especially at dusk and at dawn; and using an insect repellent and applying it according to the manufacturer’s directions.