Hastings Prince Edward Public Health (HPEPH) has found mosquitoes carrying West Nile Virus (WNv) in Belleville for the first time this year. WNv is a disease spread by mosquitoes that bite infected birds and then transmit it to humans and animals. Early symptoms can include fever, muscle weakness, headache, and confusion, though many people have mild or no symptoms. In severe cases, it can cause brain inflammation.
The recent hot and rainy weather may have increased mosquito numbers, so HPEPH will continue monitoring until the end of August.
HPEPH Medical Officer of Health Dr. Ethan Toumishey advises taking steps to avoid mosquito bites, such as staying indoors at dawn and dusk, wearing long sleeves and pants, using bug spray with DEET or Icaridin, and removing standing water around your property.
To protect yourself:
- Wear light-colored clothing and cover as much skin as possible.
- Use insect repellent with DEET or Icaridin.
- Consider wearing clothing treated with permethrin.
- Eliminate standing water where mosquitoes breed.
- Empty bird baths regularly and cover rain barrels.
- If you find a dead bird, avoid touching it with bare hands and report it to the Canadian Wildlife Health Cooperative.
For more information, visit hpePublicHealth.ca/west-nile-virus/.
Written by Emily Chatwood