West Nile Virus In Listowel

Perth County ― Tests on mosquitoes taken from a trap located in the southeast part of Listowel have come back positive for West Nile virus (WNV). This is the second positive mosquito finding of the season in Perth County.

“We are not surprised with this result because West Nile virus activity has been increasing in Ontario over the past few weeks,” says Stephanie Carlisle, Public Health Inspector. So far in 2016, 28 WNV-positive mosquito pools have been found in Ontario. A mosquito pool is a group of female mosquitoes belonging to the same species.

The Perth District Health Unit has been trapping and testing mosquitoes since June and has applied two rounds of larvicide in roadside catch basins in Stratford, St. Marys, Listowel and Mitchell to help reduce mosquito breeding.

The risk of humans getting sick with WNV is highest this time of year. Currently there are no human cases in Perth County or Ontario.

Not everyone who is bitten by an infected mosquito will show symptoms. Of those who show symptoms, most will experience mild illness, including fever, headache, body ache, nausea, vomiting and rash on chest, stomach or back. About one in 150 people infected will become seriously ill, with symptoms like high fever, muscle weakness, vision loss and coma. People over the age of 50 are most at risk for WNV infection, as are those with weakened immune systems. Symptoms usually develop between two and 15 days after being bitten by an infected mosquito.

Mosquitoes are usually active until the first hard frost. The Health Unit is asking residents to protect themselves from mosquito bites by:

Removing standing water around the home at least once a week to reduce mosquito breeding grounds.

Using insect repellent when outdoors; a repellent with DEET or Icaridin offers the most effective protection.

Covering up with light-coloured clothes, long sleeves and pants when outdoors or while in areas where mosquito activity is high.

Taking extra protection measures at dusk and dawn when mosquitoes are most active.

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