For the primary time in six years, two individuals in Waterloo area have examined optimistic for the West Nile virus.
Area of Waterloo Public Well being says the 2 individuals acquired the virus domestically. The final native case was reported in 2018.
West Nile virus is unfold by contaminated mosquitos. Public well being reported West Nile virus had been detected within the area in early August by way of testing that is a part of the grownup mosquito surveillance program.
The area’s affiliate medical officer of well being, Dr. Rabia Bana, stated the new temperatures and elevated quantity of rain this summer season “have created the beneficial situations for West Nile virus in our area and different areas throughout the province.”
“Whereas we await cooler fall temperatures and the primary frost, residents ought to proceed to take precautions to guard themselves from mosquito bites when having fun with out of doors actions,” Bana stated.
WATCH | Discover one thing unusual hanging in your native park? They’re most likely mosquito traps:
Discover one thing unusual hanging in your native park? They’re most likely mosquito traps
A pool of mosquitoes has examined optimistic for West Nile virus in Waterloo. Regional public well being officers are testing for the virus in parks and different city areas. CBC Ok-W’s Karis Mapp went with a crew to see how the traps are held on bushes to gather mosquitos.
She added that folks ought to go searching their properties and take away any standing water sources the place mosquitos can breed.
Public well being stated most people who find themselves contaminated with West Nile virus don’t expertise any signs. For individuals who do, the signs will present up two to fifteen days after they’re bitten by an contaminated mosquito.
Signs embody:
Gentle fever. Headache. Muscle aches. Stiff neck. Swollen glands. Pores and skin rash.
Individuals who develop signs after a mosquito chunk ought to search medical consideration.
When outdoors, public well being says, individuals can shield themselves from West Nile virus by:
Sporting light-coloured clothes, lengthy sleeves, pants, socks and a hat. Utilizing insect repellent with DEET or Icaridin in accordance with producer suggestions. Avoiding being outdoors at nightfall and daybreak when mosquitos are most energetic.
Folks must also be certain that they’ve screens over the home windows of their houses.
Householders may take motion to forestall mosquitos from breeding, together with:
Protecting rain barrels with a superb mesh display. Altering the water in birdbaths at the least as soon as every week. Retaining pool covers drained. Eradicating brush and particles. Aerating decorative ponds and fountains so water doesn’t sit nonetheless. Dumping out water from out of doors objects.
Public Well being Ontario reviews that as of Sept. 7, there have been 16 human instances of West Nile virus within the province this 12 months. As properly, there have been 204 swimming pools of water which have examined optimistic for the virus and one pool has examined optimistic for jap equine encephalitis virus.
