Chandos Lake
Health & Safety
West Nile Virus
West Nile virus is still a real danger for the cottage community.
According to a Ducks Unlimited publication, the most ecologically sound method to prevent human infection is personal protection. They suggest the following:
- Wear clothing that covers skin and use repellents. Stay indoors at dusk and dawn when mosquitoes are most active.
- Elderly people and those with weak immune systems should take extra precautions to avoid exposure to mosquitoes.
- Prevent mosquitoes from entering homes by placing proper screens on windows and doors.
- Although rare, dogs and other pets can become infected with West Nile virus. Owners should minimize the exposure of pets to mosquitoes. Use repellents approved for use on animals. Do NOT use repellents with DEET.
- Hunters should take extra precautions when cleaning game birds or handling live or dead birds. Use gloves to prevent blood-to-blood contact. To date, mallards, Canada geese, wood ducks, sandhill cranes, mourning doves, ruffed grouse, wild turkeys and ring-necked pheasants are among the game birds reported to carry West Nile virus.
- Freezing meat does not kill the virus. Cook wild game thoroughly.
If you find a dead crow (a West Nile virus indicator species) on your property, report it to the County Health Department.
Chickadees and the West Nile Virus
Chickadees are one of the species of birds that scientists thought would be affected by the West Nile virus. The following census information reveals some interesting results. Of 18 chickadees banded in 1973 in Orono, Ontario, 3 were alive in 1975 (16.6%). On Chandos Lake, 7 chickadees were banded in 1991, with 1 still alive in 1993 (14%) In 2002 on our lake, 14 chickadees were banded with 5 returning in 2004 (35%). We can't read too much into these numbers, but they do suggest that for Chandos Lake the Chickadee population has not been effected by West Nile Virus. In fact, the Bird Census for Christmas 2003 in the Chandos area indicates that there is a high survival rate as well.
King Baker
