Monday was the day the public was first authorized to report the sightings of dead birds in the area, as surveillance for the Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit’s West Nile virus (WNv) program begins.

WNv is spread to humans via mosquitoes infected by biting birds hit with the virus. Although the health unit says most folks won’t become sick if bitten by an infected mosquito, WNv can cause several illness in some people.

The health unit’s WNv plan for 2008 includes dead bird surveillance, testing of crows, blue jays and ravens, as well as mosquito and human surveillance. Larval dipping and adult trapping help to determine the abundance of the type of mosquitoes that spread the virus.

Last year, the health unit received more than 900 reports of dead birds, and submitted 40 of them for WNv testing and two confirmed positive for the virus.

Folks can protect themselves from mosquitoes by wearing insect repellent, covering up with long sleeves and pants, and by avoiding areas where the insects are active. As well, drain water from old tires, plastic containers, wading pools, wheelbarrows and clogged rain gutters, where mosquitoes tend to breed.

For more information, call Your Health Connection at 721-7520 or 1-877-721-7250, or click the link provided to the website