The Chatham-Kent Public Health Unit has received notification that a pool of mosquitoes collected from a trap this week in the Southeast area of Chatham has tested positive for West Nile Virus.
Local health officials say West Nile Virus is mainly transmitted to people through the bite of an infected mosquito.
“Very few people infected with the virus have any symptoms at all, or they have flu-like symptoms such as fever, headache, body aches and fatigue,” Public Health Unit officials stated.
“Those with more severe illness may experience stiff neck, nausea, difficulty swallowing, vomiting, and lack of co-ordination or paralysis. Anyone with the sudden onset of these severe symptoms should seek immediate medical attention.”
The chances of getting West Nile Virus from an infected mosquito are low, Public health officials said.
“The risk of severe illness increases with age, as well as for those individuals that have compromised immune systems,” health officials said.
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