Peel Area has confirmed its first constructive case of West Nile virus in mosquitoes in 2024.
In a information launch, it says the mosquitoes carrying the virus have been collected from a entice in Brampton close to the intersection of Church Avenue and Centre Avenue.
In keeping with Peel Public Well being, West Nile virus is a mosquito-borne illness handed to people through the chew of an contaminated mosquito. Signs of the virus can embody a rash, fever, headache and vomiting. In extreme instances, the virus can result in long-lasting well being points or demise, Well being Canada states on its web site.
Peel Public Well being screens West Nile virus exercise throughout the area, which incorporates Brampton, Mississauga and Caledon, by way of the usage of 33 mosquito traps.
These traps are collected and examined weekly from June to September, the area stated within the launch.
“Peel Public Well being additionally helps decrease mosquito populations by treating regional catch basins and different stagnant water websites with a larvicide to assist scale back breeding,” it stated.
The danger of being contaminated with the virus is low, stated Peel Area. But it surely recommends residents defend themselves utilizing a bug spray that include the chemical compounds DEET or icaridin, which work by masking human odours to the mosquitoes to repel them.
It additionally recommends carrying tightly woven, gentle colored clothes, avoiding shaded or wood areas with a excessive mosquito inhabitants and making certain window and door screens are match securely and would not have holes.
Residents can even assist by draining any water on their property that has been accumulating and sitting there, it stated.
“Water that’s stagnant for greater than seven days is a perfect breeding web site for mosquitoes,” it stated. It asks Peel residents to report water websites to Peel Public Well being at 905-799-7700 (toll-free at 905-584-2216 in Caledon) or on-line.
