First human case of West Nile in ÎÚÑ»´«Ã½ this year confirmed
Public health officials had warned earlier this month that three mosquito batches collected in traps across the city tested positive for the virus earlier this month.
The first human case of West Nile virus in ÎÚÑ»´«Ã½ this year has been confirmed in lab testing, public health officials said.
Infected mosquito bites pass the virus along to people — in this case, an adult ÎÚÑ»´«Ã½ resident, authorities said in a Thursday.
ÎÚÑ»´«Ã½ Public Health had warned earlier this month that three mosquito batches collected in traps across the city tested positive for the virus, adding at the time that the risk of contracting West Nile virus in ÎÚÑ»´«Ã½ was low.
West Nile virus symptoms, which tend to show up between two and 14 days after a person is bitten by an infected mosquito, include a fever, headache, nausea, vomiting, body aches, a skin rash, swollen lymph glands and a stiff neck. Older people and those with compromised immune systems are at a higher risk of severe illness, TPH added.
Public health officials are urging people to wear light colours, long pants and long-sleeved shirts to avoid mosquito bites, as well as to spray on Health Canada-approved insect repellent.
People should be especially careful to use insect repellent and cover exposed skin at dawn and dusk, which is when mosquitoes are most active, TPH added.
To keep mosquitoes from breeding on your property, get rid of standing water that could collect in buckets, planters, pool covers, toys and waste containers.
Plus, make sure your doors and windows have tight-fitting screens to keep mosquitoes out of your home, public health said.
EM
Elissa Mendes is a breaking news reporter, working out of
the Star’s radio room in ÎÚÑ»´«Ã½. Reach her via email: emendes@thestar.ca
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