The Citizen, 2003-08-13, Page 24PAGE 24. THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 13, 2003.
Maintaining West Nile virus protection vital
Late summer and early fall are a
high risk time for mosquito bites.
West Nile virus surveillance
activities in Huron County and
across the province indicate that the
area could be heading into a peak
transmission of the virus from
mosquitoes to humans.
In 2002 the majority of human
cases of West Nile virus in Ontario
were reported in late August and
September. The Huron County
Health Unit urges residents to
remain vigilant in reducing standing
water around homes, cottages and
businesses.
Alzheimer Society to host
8th annual Coffee Break
The Alzheimer Society of Huron
County is preparing for its eighth
annual Coffee Break to be held on
National Coffee Break day, Sept. 18.
The society is currently seeking
hosts who will organize Coffee
Breaks in their homes, businesses,
service club, or as part of their
regular monthly meeting, prayer
group or other social event. Coffee
Break can be as elaborate or as
simple as you wish to make it.
Last year 117 Coffee Breaks were
held throughout Huron County, hosts
welcomed friends and colleagues
and raised more than $15,000. It is
hoped numbers increase this year.
The goal is to have 150 Coffee
Breaks raising $18,000.
Ninety per cent of the money
raised during Coffee Break stays in
Huron County to help the Alzheimer
S-:
O
Community
^Living In support of
people with an intellectual disability
communityliving.ca
It is important that people
continue to protect themselves and
their families from mosquito bites
from mid August until the first frost.
“The mosquitoes most likely to
bite you are those born in your own
backyard”, says Dr. Beth Henning,
medical officer of health.
Eliminating areas of standing water
is critical and is the single most
important measure to reduce
mosquitoes and control the spread of
the West Nile virus, stresses Dr.
Henning.
Drain any areas of standing water
on your property. Mosquitoes only
Society provide education and
support for persons with Alzheimer
disease, their families and
caregivers. The remaining 10 per
cent goes to research.
For more information contact
Theresa Wilson at the Alzheimer
Society of Huron County at 482-
1482 or 1-800-561-5012.
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need a cup of stagnant water to
breed. After every rainfall, tip over
all containers that may hold small
amounts of water such as tires,
recycle boxes, pails, toys and
wheelbarrows. Clogged eaves
troughs from one house or cottage
can produce over one million
mosquitoes in a season.
To date in Huron County, there
have been no human or equine cases
of West Nile virus. Adult mosquito
trapping and mosquito larval
dipping activities continue across
the county to determine which types
of mosquitoes typically breed in
Huron and whether or not they are
actually carrying the virus.
Testing has confirmed that we
have the mosquitoes known to carry
the virus, however the virus has not
yet been detected in Huron County
mosquitoes. Halton, Haldimand
Norfolk and Peel Regions have
received laboratory confirmation of
positive mosquito pools.
The risk of human infection
increases as the summer progresses
as certain mosquitoes known to
carry the West Nile virus tend to be
more active this time of year, biting
humans more often; therefore, the
health unit is stressing the
importance of personal protective
measures.
“Avoid areas with mosquitoes,
especially during dusk and dawn
when they are most active, and in
heavily wooded areas during the
day”, says Henning. “Wear light
coloured clothing and cover up
whenever possible. Use insect
repellent on exposed*skin, carefully
Challenge: Maintaining a healthy weight
Solution: Know what a healthy weight is by checking the “healthy body quiz” at
www dietitians.ca/eatwell. If you need to lose weight know that short-term diets for
weight loss are not the answer. In most cases, weight is lost initially but regained
along with a few extra pounds. Successful strategies for achieving a healthy
weight include adopting life-long healthy lifestyle habits such as:
• Eating breakfast every day to get energized and prevent hunger attacks which
may lead to overeating or snacking on less nutritious choices later in the day.
• Eating meals that include a variety of foods from each of the four food groups
in Canada’s Food Guide to Healthy Eating.
• Focusing on high fibre foods such as breads, cereals, grain products,
vegetables and fruit, legumes.
• Choosing lower fat foods more often such as lower fat dairy products and
leaner cuts of meat Removing visible fat from meat and the skin from poultry.
Cutting back on high fat snacks, rich desserts, sauces and gravies, and salad
dressings and spreads.
• Preparing foods with little or no fat and choosing cooking methods such as
baking, braising, broiling, roasting, steaming, microwaving or poaching.
• Including meals featuring meat alternatives such as soy products, legumes
and eggs.
• Combine healthy eating with regular physical activity.
reading and following all product
instructions found on the label.”
Stay informed about West Nile
virus so that you can have a healthy
summer.
For more information, please call
the Huron County Health Unit at
482-3416 or if long distance, dial 1-
877-837-6143. Check out the
website " at
www.huroncounty.ca/healthumt.