Halton Region and West Nile virus
West Nile virus (WNV) (external link)is a virus that is spread by mosquitoes.
Halton Region's Health Department works to reduce the impact of WNV on the health of residents by:
- Informing and encouraging people to take steps to protect themselves from exposure to mosquitoes
- Informing and encouraging people to reduce mosquito-breeding sites around their homes
- Conducting monitoring and surveillance activities (e.g., setting mosquito traps) to detect the presence of West Nile virus in mosquitoes
- Monitoring for the presence of West Nile virus in humans by ensuring prompt reporting of all cases of the disease by working with local physicians and hospitals
- Larviciding (using pesticides to control the mosquito population) in catch basins and storm water retention ponds where mosquito larvae have been detected
- Informing Halton Region residents about West Nile virus through:
- Media releases
- Pesticide use notices posted in local newspapers
- Posting the latest data and information about WNV in Halton Region on our website
Surveillance activities
West Nile virus activity is determined by the surveillance of:
- Mosquito larvae
- Adult mosquito pools
- Human cases
Protect yourself:
Wear long-sleeved shirts, long pants, socks and shoes when outdoors in the evening or early morning. Use an insect repellent approved by the Pest Management Regulatory Agency (PMRA).
Remove standing water:
Remove or change all standing water around your home to reduce potential mosquito breeding areas.
West Nile virus surveillance
Week of August 2 – August 8, 2020
Surveillance result
|
Halton total
|
Burlington
|
Oakville
|
Halton Hills
|
Milton
|
# Mosquito Pools Positive for WNV Reported
|
2
|
0
|
2
|
0
|
0
|
# Probable Human Cases Reported
|
1
|
1
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
# Confirmed Human Cases Reported
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
# of Larvicide Applications to Standing Water
|
52
|
8
|
18
|
15
|
11
|
Year to date 2020
Surveillance result
|
Halton total
|
Burlington
|
Oakville
|
Halton Hills
|
Milton
|
# Mosquito Pools Positive for WNV Reported
|
7
|
0
|
7
|
0
|
0
|
# Probable Human Cases Reported
|
1
|
1
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
# Confirmed Human Cases Reported
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
# of Larvicide Applications to Standing Water
|
265
|
39
|
74 |
94 |
58 |
2019 Results
Surveillance result
|
Halton total
|
Burlington
|
Oakville
|
Halton Hills
|
Milton
|
# Mosquito Pools Positive for WNV Reported
|
10
|
1
|
4
|
2
|
3
|
# Probable Human Cases Reported
|
1
|
0
|
1
|
0
|
0
|
# Confirmed Human Cases Reported
|
1
|
1
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
# of Larvicide Applications to Standing Water
|
440
|
77
|
132
|
114
|
117
|
2018 Results
Surveillance result
|
Halton total
|
Burlington
|
Oakville
|
Halton Hills
|
Milton
|
# Mosquito Pools Positive for WNV Reported
|
29
|
11
|
7
|
2
|
9
|
# Probable Human Cases Reported
|
2
|
1
|
1
|
0
|
0
|
# Confirmed Human Cases Reported
|
2
|
2
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
# of Larvicide Applications to Standing Water
|
569
|
105
|
198 |
152 |
114 |
Prevention and Control Measures
52 standing water sites were larvicided during the week of August 2 to August 8, 2020.
The fourth round of catch basin larviciding in Halton Region has begun and the indicator colour is white.
For more information about West Nile virus, please contact Halton Region Health Department.