Fraser Lake Camp & the West Nile Virus

With the approaching warm weather and camping season, we are also preparing for the onset of mosquitos, which in turn brings concern about the West Nile Virus.

At Fraser Lake Camp, we are listening to the news, reading articles and attended a meeting in early May held by the Ontario Camping Association to hear the latest information about this health concern. Dr. Colin D'Cunha, the Commissioner of Public Health for Ontario, was the Keynote Speaker, and he addressed many issues surrounding the West Nile Virus.

• Our staff will be on the look out for any standing water and will correct the situation immediately.
• We will keep our grass short.
• We will collect and store toys and other equipment that can hold water, each evening.
• We recommend that all persons coming to Fraser Lake this summer bring light coloured long sleeve tops, and long pants, as well as using a bug repellant that contains DEET (non aerosol containers please). Our staff will encourage the wearing of proper attire and the application of repellent during your child's stay at camp.

It is important to note that the media can over report on some cases out of the best intentions. We feel that the West Nile Virus is a serious problem, but would also like to put it into some sort of perspective. In the United States last year, 70,000 people died of the flu, and 164 from the West Nile Virus (most, if not all, had serious underlying medical conditions). Out of the 164, two of them were under the age of 40 and none were children. Less than 1% of persons infected with the West Nile virus will develop severe illness.

We will continue to take all necessary precautions and if you feel you need to discuss any of the above information please feel free to contact us. Below are listed some Web sites that may be of further assistance to you.

• Ministry of the Environment - General
• Ministry of the Environment - West Nile Virus
• Ministry of Health - General
• Ministry of Health - West Nile Virus
• Health Canada - General
• Health Canada - West Nile Virus
• www.westnilevirus.gc.ca - Health Canada's West Nile Virus' Web Site or call toll-free 1-800-816-7292

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