Health

Department reintroduces West Nile virus surveillance activities for 2006 season (06/06/05)

NB 710

June 5, 2006

FREDERICTON (CNB) - The Department of Health is reintroducing its West Nile virus bird-surveillance activities today, and they will continue until Sept. 15, 2006. Bird-surveillance activities are dependent on public participation - through reporting of dead crows, ravens, gray jays and blue jays - to detect the presence and extent of West Nile virus activity.

"I encourage New Brunswickers to continue to take part in bird-surveillance activities this summer to assist us in detecting the virus," Health Minister Brad Green said. "Protecting New Brunswickers from communicable diseases like West Nile virus is an important component of the provincial health plan, Healthy Futures."

The surveillance period reflects the optimal breeding period of mosquito species that are capable of transmitting West Nile virus. Data collected since 2001 reveal that the mid-June to mid-September period is the best time to detect positive birds.

Dr. Wayne MacDonald, chief medical officer of health for the province, reminds New Brunswickers to take precautions to reduce the risk of infection.

"For most people, the risk of illness from West Nile virus is low, and the risk of serious health effects is even lower," MacDonald said. "When West Nile virus activity exists in an area, everyone is potentially at risk, and people with weaker immune systems or people with chronic diseases are at greater risk for serious health effects.

"Prevention is the best protection against West Nile virus. I therefore encourage all New Brunswickers to protect themselves against mosquito bites by eliminating mosquito breeding sites, wearing protective clothing and by using insect repellent containing DEET or other Health Canada-approved repellents."

New Brunswickers can learn about West Nile virus by contacting their local Public Health office, by calling the West Nile virus information line at 1-800-580-0038, or by visiting the Department of Health website at www.gnb.ca (Keyword: Health).

06/06/05

EDITOR'S NOTE: Information sheets follow. MEDIA CONTACT: Johanne Le Blanc, Health, 506-453-2536.

West Nile Virus - Reduce the Risk

Prevent mosquito bites

West Nile virus is most commonly spread by the bites of infected mosquitoes. To help reduce the risk, take the following precautions:

• make sure that door and window screens fit tightly and are free of holes to prevent mosquitoes from entering homes;
• minimize time spent outdoors at dawn or dusk, when mosquitoes are most active;
• wear light-coloured clothing, long-sleeved tops, long pants and socks when outdoors, or consider special screen-mesh clothing (screen jackets, suits and head nets) available at most hardware and department stores, as well as camping and outdoor supply shops;
• use an insect repellent containing DEET or other Health Canada-approved repellents.

Information on using insect repellents that contain DEET:

Children under six months of age:

• DO NOT use personal insect repellents containing DEET on infants.

Children aged six months to two years:

• in situations where a high risk of complications from insect bites exist, the use of one application per day of DEET may be considered for this age group;
• the least-concentrated product (10 per cent DEET or less) should be used;
• as with all insect repellents, the product should be applied sparingly and not applied to the face and hands;
• prolonged use should be avoided.

Children between two and 12 years of age:

• the least concentrated product (10 per cent DEET or less) should be used;
• do not apply more than three times per day;
• prolonged use should be avoided.

Adults and individuals 12 years of age or older:

• based on a human-health-risk assessment that considered daily application of DEET over a prolonged period, products containing DEET at concentration above 30 per cent will no longer be acceptable for registration. Studies show that products with lower concentrations of DEET are as effective as the higher-concentration products, but they remain so for shorter periods of time. Products containing no more than a 30 per cent concentration of DEET will provide adults with sufficient protection. Reapply if necessary after these protection times have elapsed.

For more information, read Health Canada's Safety Tips on Using Personal Insect Repellents.

Eliminate mosquito breeding sites

You can help reduce the risk of West Nile virus infection by preventing mosquito bites and eliminating mosquito breeding sites around your home. Mosquitoes need water to breed. Eggs and larvae can develop in small amounts of water that have been standing still for a couple of days.

Mosquitoes do not travel far. To reduce the risk of exposure to mosquitoes, take the following steps to eliminate mosquito breeding sites in your yard:

• regularly empty standing water from yard objects such as pool covers, flower pots, children's toys, pet bowls, etc.;
• clean rain gutters regularly so that water does not collect;
• turn over plastic wading pools and wheelbarrows when not in use;
• change water in birdbaths twice weekly;
• aerate ornamental ponds, or stock them with fish that eat mosquito larvae;
• remove debris - such as old tires - that can hold rainwater;
• clean and chlorinate swimming pools that are not being used, and keep the pool water circulating.

Use landscape to eliminate standing water that may collect on the property.

Disposal guidelines for dead birds

• Do not touch carcass with bare hands. Ensure that you and your clothing do not contact the carcass or its blood, secretions or feces. Wear protective clothing which can be removed and properly cleaned and disinfected after handling the bird.
• The carcass should be handled with disposable waterproof gloves (latex or rubber) or heavy-duty leak-proof rubber gloves (such as those used in house cleaning). These gloves should be worn even if using heavier gloves for protection against teeth and claws. If gloves are not available, several leak-proof plastic bags may also be used as a glove.
• Wearing gloves, grip the dead bird with your hand inside several leak-proof plastic bags. Turn the bags inside-out over the bird so that it ends up inside the bags, with your hand on the outside. Handle the bird so that beak or claws do not puncture bag or gloves.
• Place the bagged carcass inside a single leak-proof plastic bag and seal tightly. Place the sealed bag inside a second single leak-proof plastic bag and seal tightly. The carcass is now double bagged.
• Wash gloved hands, then wash bare hands following handling of the bird. Hands should be thoroughly washed for at least five minutes using a disinfecting soap and hot water.
• Dead birds that are double bagged can be incinerated, buried several feet deep in a place that will not be disturbed, or placed in domestic garbage for disposal at a sanitary landfill that accepts animal carcasses. Do not dispose of them in a manner that will require other people to handle them.

06/06/05