August 14 , 2009
 |
Kelly Bowers enjoys the outdoors once again, but now with adequate protection against mosquitoes.
|
“I never missed a day of work in 33 years. I was a teacher. I took summer holidays and was outside doing all of the things I enjoy,” says Saskatoon resident Kelly Bowers about the summer of 2007. “Then I wasn’t feeling well around mid to late August that year. I thought it might have been the flu, I went to the doctor, and the next thing I knew I was in bed for an entire week and could not move my head at all. It was scary.” Bowers contracted West Nile Virus (WNv) that year and eventually recovered. However, he says the whole experience proved to him that anyone can get WNv regardless of their health, age or the community in which they live.
“I was like everyone else – invincible, it could never happen to me – then everything changed and there I was laying in bed not being able to move for an entire week.”
Although the summer of 2009 may not go down in history as one of the warmest on record, it still holds the potential for an outbreak of WNv. The virus needs only a tiny living organism—the mosquito—to spread from animal to animal or from human to human. This species of mosquito, Culex tarsalis, is thought to be a common WNv carrier and because summer is not over just yet, these little pests may still come out in full force. That will mean a risk of WNv throughout Saskatoon Health Region.
The summer of 2008 and the first half of summer 2009 have seen relatively few mosquitoes. As a result, the number of human WNv cases in the Region has remained low to non-existent. While the symptoms for most people who contract WNv are mild or nonexistent, “That is no reason to become complacent,” says public health nurse Maggie Sim. “Everyone should choose precautions during the prime Culex tarsalis season; usually about mid July until the end of August. While it is more likely that you would experience the severe effects of WNv if you have other health conditions, being healthy is no guarantee of a good outcome after you are infected.” She cautions that there are some previously healthy people who became infected with WNv who will never regain their former healthy lives.
Bowers is one of the fortunate ones. He has now retired from teaching and has returned to his normal activities. He continues to volunteer with various sport and community organizations and gets outside during the summer months as much as he can. But when he does, he always takes precautions like using mosquito repellent and wearing long sleeves when possible to make sure he doesn’t get WNv again.
Protect yourself against West Nile Virus
West Nile Virus (WNv) can cause disease in people, birds and horses. WNv is spread by the bite of an infected mosquito. Mosquitoes become infected by feeding on the blood of birds which carry the virus.
To prevent WNv:
• Wear light-coloured, loose fitting clothes with long sleeves and pants when spending time outside.
• Use mosquito repellent that contains DEET when you are outdoors, especially at dawn and dusk.
• Choose 10% DEET or less for children aged six months to 12 years.
o Do not use insect repellents on infants less than six months.
• Consult your physician if you are pregnant or nursing.
• Make sure that window and door screens fit tightly and are free from holes.
To reduce mosquito populations:
• Drain any standing water (such as old tires, wading pools, eaves troughs).
• Empty and clean bird baths twice a week.
• Aerate ornamental ponds and stock fish that eat mosquito larvae.
• Cover rain barrels with screens (mesh size should be less than 1.5 mm).
• Keep grass cut short.
• Keep swimming pool covers free of stagnant water.
|
