Health officials are warning people to be extra vigilant for bites after the first mosquitos tested positive for West Nile virus this season.
Two mosquito testing pools were positive — a first since the annual program to trap and test mosquitos started June 1, Ottawa Public Health said Friday. Mosquitos can pose the threat of spreading the virus until a hard frost.Sign up to receive daily headline news from the Ottawa SUN, a division of Postmedia Network Inc.By clicking on the sign up button you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc.
Ottawa residents were asked to reduce the numbers of mosquitos by getting rid of outdoor items that could hold water and where mosquitos could lay their eggs.Most infected people won’t develop any symptoms, but about one in five may have flu-like symptoms, including fever, headache, muscle aches and possibly a rash, OPH said.Article content
In less than one per cent of cases, the virus invades the central nervous system and causes more serious illness. Older adults, the elderly and people with weakened immune systems are at higher risk. OPH advises people to use Health Canada-approved mosquito repellents containing DEET or icaridin, to cover up with tightly-woven and light-coloured clothing, to make sure window screens are well-fitted and in good condition and to reduce water left standing for a week or longer.
Along with weekly surveillance, the health unit says it puts larvicide in standing water on city property when needed and regularly applies the larvicide in city-own roadside storm sewer catch basins to reduce the number of mosquitos.
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