Manitobans will soon be taking advantage of the warmer weather to enjoy more outdoor activities, and Manitoba Health is reminding everyone to take precautions to avoid illness and injury.
Taking these precautions will help to reduce exposure to the following risks:
Heat illnesses
Prepare for the heat this summer. Check the weather forecast, drink plenty of liquids before feeling thirsty, and prevent sunburn by wearing loose clothing, hats/visors and SPF sunscreen. Never leave people or pets alone in closed vehicles or direct sunlight, and check on older adults and people with chronic conditions when it gets hot.
West Nile virus
Reduce standing water around homes and take steps to reduce exposure to mosquito bites during the summer months.
Hantavirus
Reduce exposure to dust from mouse droppings and use a damp mop in areas with rodent droppings using bleach disinfectant.
E. coli
Use proper food-handling precautions, cook ground beef until it is well done and follow guidelines for cooking other meat.
Lyme disease and other tick-borne diseases
Avoid contact with blacklegged (deer) ticks. People should check themselves and family members frequently for ticks and remove them as soon as possible. These precautions will also help protect against anaplasmosis and babesiosis, two newly emerging tick-borne diseases.
Drinking water safety
If a private well supplies water to a home, test it for bacteria at least once a year. Test in the spring after the snowmelt and spring run-off and/or after a particularly heavy rainfall or flooding. Campers and cottagers are reminded not to drink surface water that has not been boiled or otherwise treated, and to avoid drinking water with algae blooms.
Rabies
Vaccinate pets and avoid handling wildlife to reduce the risk of rabies.
Blastomycosis
When digging or disturbing soil in risk areas, be aware of the risk for exposure to blastomycosis, which can be contracted by breathing in the fungus that causes it or by getting it on a scrape or cut.
Injury prevention
Be safe when biking, swimming and boating. Anyone under the age 18 must wear a properly fitted and fastened protective helmet while cycling.
Health information is available from local public health offices and from Health Links-Info Santé at 204-788-8200 in Winnipeg or 1-888-315-9257 (toll-free) or online at www.gov.mb.ca/health/publichealth.
