Editorial

It’s become a rite of summer of sorts. Mosquitoes start buzzing and the warnings about West Nile virus begin flying around.
   Unprecidented flooding in parts of the Prairies has created prime habitat for mosquitoes, including those likely to carry West Nile virus. Health officials say flooding, especially in southern Saskatchewan and Manitoba, has left a lot of shallow, standing water for mosquitoes to call home.
Lethbridge had its fair share of rain this year and anyone who has spent time outdoors knows the city has a fair share of skeeters, too.
Dr. Gerry Predy, Alberta’s senior medical officer of health, says there have been very few confirmed West Nile cases in the last few summers.
The Public Health Agency of Canada reported only five confirmed human cases of West Nile virus in 2010, including two in Saskatchewan and one in Alberta. The Alberta case was a non-neurological one.
But the low number of cases doesn’t mean residents should become lax in the battle to “fight the bite.”
West Nile virus can be a very serious illness that can have debilitating effects, particularly on older adults. Symptoms of the most common form of West Nile virus (non-neurological syndrome) include fever, chills, nausea, vomiting, fatigue, a possible skin rash or swollen glands and headache. These symptoms usually occur within two to 14 days of infection; however, many people who become infected show no symptoms. A small number of infected people get the less common and more serious West Nile neurologic syndrome, which can cause tremours, vomiting, nausea, drowsiness, confusion, swallowing problems, high fever, decreased level of consciousness and/or paralysis.
Albertans need to shelve any not-in-my-backyard attitude. It’s not only careless to be complacent, it’s dangerous.
Individuals are urged to “fight the bite” by using repellents containing DEET, wearing pants, socks and light-coloured clothing with long sleeves that cover exposed skin. These simple steps are still the most effective prevention measures when dealing with West Nile virus, says Dr. Vivien Suttorp, Medical Officer of Health for the South Zone of Alberta Health Services.
Other measures include eliminating stagnant water where mosquitoes can lay eggs, such as in bird baths, pool covers and leaf-filled eavestroughs. They’re easy steps and residents would be wise to follow them, especially with more warm and sunny days ahead. Because in a worst-case scenario, their lack of preventative measures will come back to bite them.

With Canada Day around the corner, patriotic pride tends to reach an annual high. Maybe not as high as when a Canada-based team reaches the Stanley Cup finals, but a high nonetheless.
July 1 is also especially patriotic for those who become Canadian citizens at citizenship ceremonies around the nation.
But as we get set to celebrate Canada’s 144th birthday and welcome its newest citizens, a charitable organization that works to prevent drowning raises some alarming statistics.
The Lifesaving Society says while swimming is considered a quintessentially Canadian thing to do during the summer season, this time of year is statistically the most dangerous when it comes to water safety, says the society.
The Lifesaving Society’s new National Drowning Report indicates a rise in drowning deaths in Canada in recent years. Until 2004, there was a long-term trend towards fewer drownings in the country. After reaching an all-time low of 433 water-related deaths in 2004, there was an upswing to 492 in 2005; 508 in 2006; and 480 in 2007. On average, this was more than a 10 per cent increase versus the previous three-year average (from 2002-2004).
While final statistics on fatal drownings for 2008 to 2010 are not yet available from provincial and territorial chief coroners and medical examiners, interim data collected using media and Internet reports indicates that the trend continued in 2010. Reported drownings increased 10 per cent last year, compared to the number of deaths reported in 2009.
The society notes that new Canadians, especially those who have been in Canada for five years or less, also remain at a higher risk than those born in Canada. A study conducted last year showed that new Canadians are four times more likely to be unable to swim than those born here.
On June 23, a seven-year-old boy drowned after swimming in a northern Saskatchewan community. The community doesn’t have an indoor swimming pool where lessons could be given, according to The Canadian Press. That’s not the case in Lethbridge.
Non-swimmers — new Canadians and longtime or lifetime residents — planning to spend time in a pool this summer should make a date with a lesson or two. Or, if the summer is jam-packed with land-based activities, lessons are also offered in various pools over the fall, winter and spring months.
It sounds like a lot of work and time commitment, but learning to swim is a lifesaving skill worth having.

June 21 marked the summer solstice, the longest day of the year and the official start of summer in the Northern Hemisphere. It begs the question: What are your summer plans?
According to a recent ING Direct survey, exotic trips and luxurious getaways are taking a back seat this summer as Canadians are more inclined to stick to their budgets when planning their summer vacations. The poll found that 62 per cent of Canadians are more focused on the costs of travel, accommodation and attractions over the destination itself.
The high cost of gas proved to be a sticking point in some Canadians’ travel plans. Forty-three per cent of respondents admitted that they are no longer planning a particular trip or plan to stay closer to home (35 per cent) as a result of higher gas prices.
The good news is that southern Alberta is home to plenty of things to see and do, and it doesn’t require spending more than a day in the car.
And if you don’t drive, or choose not to, you could spend a day enjoying the great outdoors without even leaving the city limits.
The Nikka Yuko Japanese Garden is open for the season and offers an unforgettable experience, combining the beauty of nature in a serene setting.
Close to the garden is Henderson Lake Park, where there’s a variety of things to do such as fishing or walking on the trail around the lake. It’s also home to picnic tables, allowing visitors to bring their own food, which saves the cost of eating out at a restaurant.
Need some culinary inspiration? Eat, shop and experience local products at Alberta farmers’ markets. The seasonal one at Exhibition Park is open for the season. Doors open at 8 a.m. each Saturday and close at 12:30 p.m.
These farmers’ markets not only provide shoppers with a chance to meet the people growing and baking their food, they also give residents a way to be more environmentally friendly and eat healthier.
Still itching to get away? Travel Alberta’s nine seasonal visitor information centres are available to serve travellers for the summer. Near Lethbridge, there’s one at Crowsnest Pass, Milk River, Walsh and West Glacier. All the centres are open seven days a week for the summer season. Hours of operation vary at each location, so travellers are encouraged to call 1-800-ALBERTA to get up-to-date information on when centres are open. Visitors can also go online at TravelAlberta.com to learn more about what our province has to offer.
Make this summer one to remember by getting your fill of fun with a big helping of local flavour.

Our world is becoming increasingly reliant on technology. Businesses and communities that fall behind are taking the risk of finding themselves at a competitive disadvantage.
Lethbridge is working to not only keep up with the pack, but help set the pace.
The city’s technology commercialization centre, known as tecconnect, is one way Lethbridge is positioning itself to stay competitive in a high-tech environment. The facility is already home to BlackBridge Networks, which has brought the first data storage centre to the city.
Tecconnect was established to help spur the development of a local high-tech industry, says Economic Development Lethbridge, which operates the centre. That, combined with the city’s well-respected post-secondary institutions, places Lethbridge in good position to grow with the burgeoning technology field.
Those outside the city are taking note. Alberta Venture magazine, a business publication, recently identified Lethbridge among four Western Canadian centres judged to be the best communities for Information Technology/High-Tech business.
In listing Lethbridge, the magazine noted, “No, we haven’t made a mistake. Yes, Lethbridge is still a great place for agri-business. But it’s an even more attractive community when it comes to the high-tech sector.”
That’s a fine endorsement of the city’s vision of being a big player in the high-tech world.
Agriculture remains, and will remain, an important part of Lethbridge’s economic base, but just as investors are advised to diversify their portfolios, it’s wise for communities to make sure they don’t have all their economic eggs in one basket.
By creating a technology base on which to build a high-tech industry, Lethbridge is adding another pillar to ensure a strong and viable economy for the future.
The tecconnect centre is sure to play an important role in helping Lethbridge not only keep up with the changing times, but perhaps help to lead the way into the future.