Mosquitoes in eastern Ontario have tested positive for the West Nile virus. However, no human cases have been reported this summer.
The West Nile virus is a mosquito-borne virus spread to humans by the bite of an infected mosquito. For most people, the risk of illness is low, but for others it can cause neurological symptoms. The virus cannot be spread from person to person.
“The Eastern Ontario Health Unit has been actively monitoring mosquitoes for West Nile virus” stated Dr. Paul Roumeliotis, Medical Officer of Health. “This finding shows that West Nile virus remains a concern in our area. Residents should be aware and take the necessary precautions to protect themselves and their families.”
To be better protected outdoors, the Eastern Ontario Health Unit (EOHU) recommends that residents wear shoes, socks, long pants, and a long-sleeved shirt, wear light-coloured clothing in tight-woven fabric, use mesh bug jackets or hats, use of mosquito repellent, and use mosquito netting or screened structures when sleeping outdoors.
To help control mosquito populations, residents are encouraged to clean up and empty outdoor containers of stagnant water such as old tires, wheelbarrows, and barrels, change water in bird baths at least once per week, check swimming pools and make sure the pool’s pump is circulating, turn over wading pools when not in use, check and clear eaves troughs and drains to clear obstructions, ensure drainage ditches are clear, and check flat roofs frequently for standing water.
The EOHU also recommend carrying out regular yard and lawn maintenance such as to collect or mulch any leaves or lawn cuttings that can serve as a food source for mosquito larvae, turn over compost frequently, fill in low depression areas in lawns, and trim dense shrubbery where mosquitoes like to rest.
The EOHU is mandated by the government to monitor the West Nile virus in the five Eastern Counties by collecting and monitoring mosquitoes to determine the types of mosquitoes breeding in the area. Some breeds are carriers of the virus while other breeds are not.
For more information, contact the Eastern Ontario Health Unit at 613-933-1375 or 1-800-267-7120 or visit EOHU.ca and click on the My Environment section.
