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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2000-08-16, Page 6PAGE 6. THE CITIZEN. WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 16, 2000. Health unit reports no West Nile eases Rowing to the other side It was a challenging race for older children at the Huron Chapel Evangelical Missionary Church summer Bible school program in Auburn as they competed against other teams to “row” their team across the river. The theme of this year’s program is Outback Games, Hope of Glory, Jesus in You, a take-off on the Olympic games in Australia. Pick’s Disease accounts for 5% of dementia eases By Alexandra Beasse, Education Co-ordinator The Alzheimer Society of Huron County provides information and support services to all individuals and families living with any form of dementia, not just Alzheimer dis­ ease. Pick’s Disease is another disorder, which has an accompanying demen­ tia. This disease usually affects indi­ viduals between the ages of 40 to 60, both men and women, with the aver­ age duration being seven to eight years. Pick’s Disease accounts for approximately five per cent of dementias (Alzheimer Disease approximately 80 per cent). This means approximately 40 people in Huron County in 2000 are living with this disease, based on statistical analysis. Arnold Pick, a German neurolo­ gist, first described Pick’s Disease in 1892. It is a progressive dementia that affects specific areas of the brain - primarily the frontal and temporal lobes. In addition, brain cells in these areas are sometimes found to be abnormal form and swollen. Pick’s Disease is thought to be due to a build up in the brain of an abnor­ mal of the protein tau. However, the cause of this build up is still unknown. Pick’s Disease varies in the way it affects individuals. There is howev­ er, a common core of symptoms. Since Pick’s Disease affects the frontal and temporal areas of the brain, early symptoms often affect either behaviour and/or speech. The more common symptoms include: • personality changes: loss of inhi­ bition and social graces, changes in morality, and impatient/inappropri- ate behaviour • failure to recognize objects or using objects wrongly • speech problems, such as, echolalia and aphasia • overeating, changes in dietary preference, and obsessions • attention problems • changes in sexual behaviour Because of the unusual and some­ time bizarre changes in personality and behaviour, which accompany Pick’s Disease, individuals living with this disease are often misunder­ stood, shunned, even feared. The healthy physical appearance of the individual with Pick’s Disease fur­ ther complicates society's reactions to the affected persons. Remember to show compassion when encountering any person whose behaviour appears unusual, that person may not be able to con­ trol their behaviour. For further information on Pick’s Disease or another form of dementia, please contact the Alzheimer Society of Huron County at 482-1482 or I- 800-561-5012. The Huron County Health Unit would like to reassure residents that at this point in time, no positive cases of West Nile Virus have been found in Canada. The West Nile Virus is a mosquito- bome virus. The virus was found for the first time in North America in early fall in 1999. A mosquito becomes infected by biting a bird that carries the virus. The West Nile Virus is spread to humans by the bite of an infected mosquito. Dr. Beth Henning, Huron County Health Unit medical officer of health suggests that Huron residents try to prevent mosquito bites. Stay indoors between dusk and early morning, wear long-sleeved shirts and pants when you are outdoors, and apply insect repellent. Reducing the number of mosqui­ Coalition seeks input The Huron County Water Quality Coalition is looking for input regard­ ing the proposed standards to govern intensive agricultural operations. The provincial government recent­ ly released the Galt Report, which contains a number of recommenda­ tions regarding enforcement of nutrient management plans, classifi­ cation of farms according to live­ stock units, and the roles of the province and other levels of govern­ ment in enforcing the standards. This report is the result of a series of public consultations undertaken by MPP’s Douglas Galt and Toby Barrett in the spring of 2000, includ­ ing a session held in Clinton. At their next general meeting, at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 23 the Water Quality Coalition has arranged for Randy Jackiw, the director of the Resources Management Branch of OMAFRA, to present the findings of the Galt Report. The meeting will be held at the Health Unit auditorium, at the The Huron County Museum will hosting an Art Show August 19-October 9,2< LOCAL ARTISTS SHARE THEIR VISIONS OF HURON COUNTY Ail exhibited works of art have j| Huron County themes and are painted by local artists. The three winning entries from this competition will be added to the Huron County Art Bank and the paintings in this collection will be used for H > permanent display in the County's public buildings. W Regular museum hours and admission apply. /nk Huron County Museum I (< j110 North street \\ Coderich Ki/ 524-2686 ___ COUNTY MUSEUM toes on your property by getting rid of standing water is also recom­ mended. Some common breeding sites for mosquitoes to lay their eggs in are garbage cans, clogged eavestroughs, birdbaths, and old tires. “Mosquito bites are unpleasant” said Dr. Henning. “I would suggest that people follow these ideas to pre­ vent mosquito bites on a regular basis.” Dr. Henning reminds parents that “insect repellent should not be used on children under two and only repellents without DEET should be used for children two to 12 years of age.” The Huron County Health Unit will notify residents if a positive case of the West Nile Virus is found in Canada. Huronview Complex in Clinton. The Water Quality Coalition is developing a position paper to be submitted to the government regard­ ing the proposed standards. There will be an opportunity for individu­ als to make a presentation at the meeting so that a variety of opinions can be obtained. Everybody is welcome to attend the meeting and hear the presenta­ tion of the Report. A copy of the report can be viewed on the internet at the OMAFRA site, www.gov.on.ca/OMAFRA/english/a gops/report.html If you do not have internet access at home, all public libraries in Huron County offer com­ munity access. A copy of the report may also be obtained at the OMAFRA Resource Centre, 100 Don St., Clinton. For more information about the Water Quality Coalition contact Evert Ridder, co-chair at 482-5033 or Matt Pearson, education chair at 482-5399. HURON COUNTY HIGHWAYS DEPARTMENT proposes to apply the herbicide “DyCleer 480”, Reg. No. 19157 under the Pest Control Products Act (Canada) on County Roads Nos. 4, 7, 12, 16, 19, 25, 28, 29, 30, 33, 35, 86 and 87 rights-of-way for control of noxious weeds as listed under the Weed Control Act. Application time is to be the weeks of September 5 to September 15, 2000, weather permitting. There will be no spraying done in built-up areas. For further information and for location of the roads to be sprayed, contact Sandra Lawson, Huron County Weed Inspector at (519) 524-7412. Collect calls will be accepted.