CK Public Health has received laboratory confirmation that mosquitoes collected August 29, 2023 from a trap in Southwest Chatham have tested positive for West Nile Virus.
This is the 6th positive mosquito trap identified in Chatham-Kent this season, public health officials say.
“West Nile Virus is transmitted to people through the bite of an infected mosquito,” public health officials said in a media release.
“Many people infected with the virus experience no symptoms. Some may experience mild symptoms such as fever, headache, body aches and fatigue. In rare cases, infected individuals may experience more severe illness, including stiff neck, nausea, difficulty swallowing, vomiting, and lack of co-ordination or paralysis. Anyone with severe symptoms should seek immediate medical attention. Older individuals and those with compromised immune systems are at higher risk of severe illness.”
Protect yourself and your family by:
– Wearing light-coloured clothing, including long-sleeved shirts, long pants, and socks
– Using insect repellent containing DEET (follow the label directions)
– Staying indoors when mosquitoes are most active (dusk to dawn)
– Ensuring that all door and window screens are tight and free of holes
– Eliminating sources of standing water on your property to prevent mosquito breeding
“Due to the known presence of West Nile Virus in Chatham-Kent at this time, CK Public Health will not publicly report any additional confirmations of positive mosquito pools for the remainder of the 2023 trapping season,” public health officials say
For more information on West Nile Virus, please visit http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/wn-no/index-eng.php or call CK Public Health at 519.355.1071.
