Efforts are underway to prevent West Nile Virus in Sarnia-Lambton.
The St. Clair Region Conservation Authority has been contracted Lambton Public Health (LPH) to conduct mosquito larval surveillance and apply larvicide to 16,000 catch basins across the county.
We’re being urged to keep an eye out for vehicles with a flashing yellow rooftop light, West Nile virus signs and “Makes Frequent Stops” caution sign.
LPH Supervisor of Health Protection Lori Lucas said there are also things residents can do at home to prevent exposure to mosquitoes, including getting rid of standing water in wheelbarrows and bird baths.
"That includes making sure you're using repellants that contain DEET, wearing protective light coloured clothing and trying to take extra precautions around dusk and dawn when mosquito activity is high. If you know of an area that's worse for mosquitoes, try and avoid that.
Last year, there were 23 human cases of West Nile in Ontario, none in Sarnia-Lambton. One person locally contracted the virus in 2020.
Lucas said the health unit isn’t collecting dead birds for West Nile virus surveillance.
If you find a dead bird on your property, wear gloves or pick it up with a bag; then discard the bag and the bird into a garbage container. It can be disposed of with your regular garbage.
Less than one per cent of people infected with the virus become seriously ill.
