Health officials say West Nile Virus activity is becoming more widespread in London and Middlesex County.
The Middlesex-London Health Unit announced Monday that mosquitoes trapped in Mount Brydges have tested positive for the virus. It's the second time in two weeks that a trap in the region has found mosquitoes capable of transmitting West Nile to people. The first mosquitoes to test positive this season were found in the Pond Mills area on August 15.
“We’ve known for a few weeks that West Nile Virus was present in the community, so these findings are a reminder that while summer is winding down, we still need to take steps to protect ourselves from mosquito bites,” says Jeremy Hogeveen, Vector-Borne Disease Coordinator at the Middlesex-London Health Unit.
Health Unit officials are asking residents to use insect repellent with DEET and wear light-coloured long sleeved shirts and pants to avoid being bitten. Parents can discourage mosquito bites by putting netting over strollers when walking infants. Staying indoors at dawn and dusk also reduces the risk of bites.
Removing standing water from common home and yard areas including eavestroughs, flower pots, bird baths, and any other objects where standing water can accumulate will cut down on the places where mosquitoes breed and grow.
According to the health unit, 80% of those who catch West Nile do not get sick. People who do feel the effects of the virus usually experience mild flu-like symptoms with less than 1% becoming seriously ill.
The Health Unit’s Vector-Borne Disease Team monitors 23 adult mosquito traps located throughout London and Middlesex County each week. They also conduct weekly checks for mosquito larvae at some 250 standing water sites located on public property and will continue to do so until the first hard frost of the fall.
