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West Nile virus information, prevention strategies on website

TORONTO - June 21, 2004

West Nile virus - a mosquito-borne disease that infected more than 1,300 people in seven provinces last year - is expected to reach right across the country in 2004. CropLife Canada and the Urban Pest Management Council (UPMC) are helping Canadians prepare for the increased threat by providing a comprehensive public website specifically devoted to West Nile virus (WNV) at www.croplife.ca/WNV

"Our industry is committed to giving people as much information as we can about West Nile virus," says Debra Conlon, Executive Director, UPMC. "The website is an effective means to provide the public as well as governments, municipalities and boards of health with information about the tools that can control mosquitoes at all their life stages," says Conlon.

Entomologist Randy Gadawski says information is critical to disease control. Gadawski, who has studied WNV across Canada and runs Black Duck Consultants out of Winnipeg, says there are two major areas of intervention. First, protect yourself from mosquito bites by eliminating areas of standing water on your own property. "The small amount of water held in just one old tire can breed several hundred mosquitoes and the mosquitoes that develop in your own backyard are the ones most likely to bite you. Second, control mosquitoes, either when they're still in the aquatic or immature stage of development, or the adult stage," says Gadawski.

Check the CropLife Canada / UPMC website for more ways to control mosquitoes and reduce the risk of exposure to WNV. The site, introduced last year, is continually updated with the most current information such as tips on how to protect your family, integrated solutions for mosquito control, a Frequently Asked Questions section and links to other sources in Canada and the United States.

"It's a valuable resource that reflects the commitment of CropLife Canada, UPMC and their member companies to limit the spread of this disease," says Conlon.

Beyond the site's information, UPMC members play a vital role in the control of WNV by providing effective mosquito control products.

CropLife Canada is a national trade association representing the developers, manufacturers, and distributors of plant science innovations - pest-control products and plant biotechnology - for use in agriculture, urban and public health settings. CropLife Canada stands for safety and innovation supported by a foundation of continuous research and a strong commitment to stewardship.

The Urban Pest Management Council of Canada represents the manufacturers, formulators, distributors and allied associations of specialty pest management products, for the consumer or professional markets used in turf, ornamental, pest management, forestry, aquatic, vegetation management and other non-food/fibre applications.

For more information, contact:

Debra Conlon,
Acting Director of Communications, CropLife Canada,
at 416-622-9771.
Email: conlond@croplife.ca