National West Nile Virus Info-line

Radio Public Service Announcement - 2

For release September 8, 2003
Health Canada - West Nile First Nation
Script 2
Reporter: Sherri Dmyterko (dem-a-TAR-ko)
Length: 14 seconds (audio quote)

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Audio (381 KB)

Anchor Script: (read by news anchor)

While many of us are enjoying outdoor activities this year, West Nile virus remains a threat as long as mosquitoes are active. Using mosquito repellents containing DEET or other approved ingredients, wearing loose-fitting, light-coloured clothing, and limiting time spent outdoors at dusk and dawn when mosquitoes are most active offer good protection against infection. It's also important to remove any standing water around your property that could become potential mosquito breeding grounds. Keith Conn, with the First Nations and Inuit Health Branch of Health Canada, also recommends that people wear rubber gloves when handling wild game or dead birds.

(Interview with Keith Conn)

"While the risk is low, there is some evidence that people can acquire West Nile through blood-to-blood contact with infected wild game or birds. So it's important that people wear rubber gloves when handling wild game, and to wash the gloves and hands thoroughly afterwards."

Anchor Script: (read by news anchor)

However, Conn adds that there's no risk of getting West Nile virus from eating infected animals that are fully cooked. For the latest information on West Nile virus, visit Health Canada's website at  www.westnilevirus.gc.ca, call Health Canada's toll-free info-line at 1-800-816-7292... or contact your local nursing station or community health centre.