West Nile virus has been present in mosquitoes in Brantford, Ont., and St. Catharines, Ont. for the primary time this 12 months, based on the native public well being company.
A July 19 press launch from the Brant County Well being Unit states mosquitoes with the virus have been detected in a Brantford neighbourhood.
Niagara Area Public Well being shared information of the mosquitoes in St. Catharines on Monday.
There have been no human West Nile instances recognized in Brantford, Brant County or Niagara Area, based on native well being authorities.
Gillian Dilts, who manages Niagara public well being’s vector-borne and zoonotic illness program, stated the contaminated mosquito in St. Catharines was present in one of many traps the division places out in every of the 12 municipalities it providers as a part of its West Nile virus surveillance program.
It is working with a third-party firm to kill mosquito larva in catch basins on roadsides, Dilts stated. Mosquitos sometimes breed in standing water.
Residents are inspired to assist cut back potential breeding websites by limiting the quantity of standing water on their properties, together with masking rain barrels with nice mesh.
Filip Pajtondziev, a supervisor of infectious ailments with Brant County Well being Unit, stated in a media launch the rainfall and excessive temperatures this summer time are creating good breeding floor for mosquitoes.
Virus detected in different areas
Mosquitoes with West Nile have been present in Peel Area, as properly. Ottawa Public Well being, in the meantime, confirmed a primary human case of West Nile.
In 2023 there have been 54 confirmed instances throughout Ontario, with eight confirmed instances within the Niagara area, Dilts stated.
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Fiona Hunter a medical and veterinary entomology professor at Brock College who research all flies that chew.
West Nile virus is primarily unfold by the northern home mosquito.
Solely a small variety of folks bitten by a mosquito carrying the virus will turn out to be contaminated.
About 20 per cent of these contaminated could expertise flu-like signs together with fever, headache, muscle aches and a rash.
Dilts stated people who find themselves immunocompromised are at a higher danger of creating West Nile virus or having extra extreme infections.
“We all the time advocate … chatting with a healthcare supplier in order that they will assess these signs and undertake any testing for West Nile virus,” she stated.
To keep away from mosquito bites, Niagara public well being recommends:
Carrying long-sleeved shirts, lengthy pants, socks and sneakers when outdoor. Utilizing mosquito repellent containing DEET or Icaridin, and punctiliously comply with the producer’s instructions. Draining areas of standing or stagnant water in your property often, together with chicken baths, outdated tires, pails, toys and wheelbarrows. Making certain all home windows and doorways in your house have screens which are in good situation.
