Prince George, B.C.-  As people head out for summer holidays, the BC Centre of Disease Control has issued a reminder to protect yourself from West Nile Virus.

 

West Nile is not expected to occur within the Northern Health region, but, last year, two people in the southern part of the province were infected so it is likely the illness will show again in the lower mainland . That means it is important to make sure you take the proper precautions if you are planning on travelling to the higher risk regions:

 

·        wearing long sleeves and pants, weather permitting, with light colours and a tight weave, as well as a hat - especially at dawn and dusk when mosquitoes that can carry WNV are most active.

·        Use federally registered mosquito repellents such as those containing DEET and PMD (also known as lemon-eucalyptus oil), strictly according  to directions. Re-apply repellents as often as necessary.

 

Dr. Bonnie Henry, physician epidemiologist with the BCCDC, an agency of the Provincial Health Services Authority says it’s always prudent to be prepared “Ccentral Washington State, about 200 kilometres south of our province, has already had positive mosquito samples."

 

Dr. Eric Young, deputy provincial health officer says the southern interior and Fraser Valley are at higher risk of seeing West Nile virus “This is because the virus was present in low levels in these areas last year, and because they generally experience higher summer temperatures than other parts of B.C., if any positive WNV activity is detected, public health officials will be alerting residents of the affected region."