Out door cleanup this Spring - Preeceville's Main Street with the Mayor Garth Harris for Thursday April 21st, 2016 8:35 am

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Preeceville's Main Street with the Mayor Garth Harris for Thursday April 21st, 2016 8:35 am

With GX94's Craig Wallebeck > see him @ http://www.gx94radio.com/craig-wallebeck

This week we focus on: Out door cleanup this Spring "Saskatchewan residents are reminded to take precautions against hantavirus, as the weather continues to warm up and they resume seasonal activities. People are most often exposed to hantavirus by breathing in contaminated airborne particles from the droppings, urine and saliva of infected deer mice.  Hantavirus infection is rare but potentially fatal.  Symptoms include fever, muscle aches, cough, headaches, nausea and vomiting. “Initial symptoms can quickly develop into a very severe and often fatal lung disease called hantavirus pulmonary syndrome,” Saskatchewan’s Chief Medical Health Officer Dr. Saqib Shahab said.  “Seek urgent medical attention if you develop a fever, coughing and shortness of breath within one to six weeks of exposure to potentially infested areas.” People can come in contact with hantavirus when cleaning out enclosed or poorly ventilated buildings (such as grain bins, sheds, barns, garages, trailers, cottages and homes) that have had mouse infestations.  Exposure can also occur when cleaning farm equipment such as combines or vehicles that have been in storage. “It is important to take adequate precautions to avoid the risk of becoming infected with hantavirus,” Shahab said. When cleaning rodent-infested areas, people should: Ventilate the building by opening doors and windows for at least 30 minutes before cleaning; Use wet mopping methods and wear rubber or plastic gloves; Wear goggles and a well-fitting N-95 type filter mask when cleaning areas contaminated by droppings in a confined space; Dampen areas contaminated with rodent droppings with bleach disinfectant and remove droppings with a damp mop or cloth; Avoid using dry cleaning methods such as dusting, sweeping, vacuuming or air-hosing; Steam clean, shampoo or spray upholstered furniture with a detergent, disinfectant or a mixture of bleach and water; and Wash clothes and bedding with detergent in hot water. You can also reduce exposure to hantavirus by: Blocking openings that might allow rodents to enter a building; Storing human and animal food, water and garbage in containers with tightly-fitted lids; and Moving woodpiles or other potential hiding places for mice away from your home. There have been 30 cases of hantavirus pulmonary syndrome reported in Saskatchewan from 1994 to 2015, 10 of which resulted in death" For more information on hantavirus, visit the Government of Saskatchewan’s website at www.saskatchewan.ca/residents/health/diseases-and-conditions/hantavirus and HealthLine Online at www.health.gov.sk.ca/healthline-online.   "Many of us in Saskatchewan may be enjoying the warm winter and early start to spring. Unfortunately, ticks like it, too. In Saskatchewan, the blood-sucking critters usually emerge in May and June, but in many areas, the pesky parasites have already shown up on dogs and cattle. "In the last 20 years, this is probably the earliest I've seen ticks," Regina veterinarian Lesley Sawa said. The warmer weather is bringing migratory birds heading north into Saskatchewan earlier and those birds can also carry ticks with them, Sawa said Animals that venture into densely wooded areas and tall grass can very easily pick up a tick or two or more. Sawa says if you take your pet into those areas, a thorough tick check should be in order. "Look in their ears, check all over their skin, underneath their armpits. If a tick is stuck in, just pinch it and pull it off." Before going into tick-infested areas, Sawa recommends, some preventative measures are in order, Sawa says. She recommends chewable oral medications for dogs.     There are also topical medications which are applied between a dog's shoulder blades.  " When you're out in the tall grass make sure your pants legs are tucked into your socks"- Dr. Lesley Sawa Deer ticks can transmit Lyme disease to dogs and humans.   However, the deer tick is not common in Saskatchewan and cases of Lyme disease in this province are rare, she said.     Sawa says the brown tick is most common in Saskatchewan. It can spread the anaplasma bacteria, which can lead to diarrhea and an increase in heart rate. Those cases are also rare in the province — but not zero, she said.  For humans, covering up is the best prevention. "When you're out in the tall grass, make sure your pant legs are tucked into your socks," she said. "When you come back, remove your clothes in the garage or somewhere where you're avoiding the inside of your home. And then shake out those clothes and try to remove any ticks that might be stuck on your garments." The bottom line, says Sawa, is that people should enjoy the warmer season and the great outdoors. Just remember ticks love the early start, too" http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/saskatchewan/regina-ticks-2016-veterinarian-1.3511128  Canada’s 150th website: http://canada.pch.gc.ca/eng/1342792785740/1342793251811   - Preeceville Celebration will be August 4th, 5th and 6th, 2017. Planning is well underway, watch our web site for details as they become available.   Events: - April 24th, - Studio Dance One Annual Year End Recital - Annual year end dance recital showcasing our performers. $5.00/person, Preschool free. 2:00pm at the Sturgis Composite High School

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- May 21st, Dance at the Hazel Dell Hall, music by the Old jCountry Lads - May 25th, - The Preeceville & District Heritage Museum Open House on Wednesday, May 25 from 1 - 4 pm featuring Year of the Ukrainian. In the traditional Ukrainian welcome, we will be serving coffee, tea, homemade bread and jam and sweets.

- May 28th - Town of Preeceville Community Wide Garage Sale beginning at 8:00 am. To register your sale, contact the Preeceville Town Office at 306-547-2810 by May 24.



- CANADA 150 CELEBRATION - PREECEVILLE Strong, Proud and Free
In 2017, Canada will mark the 150th Anniversary of Confederation. Preeceville Celebration will be August 4th, 5th and 6th, 2017. Watch for details as they become available.



- And as always if you wish to have an event promoted visit and post it to our Community Events Calendar at www.townofPreeceville.ca

Follow the Mayor on the town site at http://www.townofpreeceville.ca/default.aspx?page=65&cid=6 follow me on blogspot at http://mayorharris.blogspot.ca/

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