Latest news with #WestNileVirus
CTV News
16 hours ago
- Health
- CTV News
Dead bird in Waterloo Region tests positive for West Nile virus
Public Health is keeping a close eye on mosquitoes in Waterloo Region after a bird tested positive for the West Nile virus. CTV's Colton Wiens explains how.
Daily Mail
19 hours ago
- Health
- Daily Mail
Officials sound alarm over the spread of deadly insect-borne disease after first person dies
Health experts are sounding the alarm over the rise of a deadly insect-borne disease following America's first death from the virus this year. An unnamed individual in Maricopa County, Arizona, was diagnosed with West Nile Virus, which is becoming more prevalent in the US due to a warming climate. They were among the one percent of patients who develop a severe form of the virus, which causes dangerous swelling of the brain. This occurs when the virus crosses the blood-brain barrier and infects the brain and/or spinal cord, leading to conditions like encephalitis, meningitis, or paralysis. Officials revealed the victim was an older adult with underlying health conditions. They were the 17th human case of the West Nile virus in the Maricopa County area and among the 51 human cases nationwide. While West Nile virus typically causes mild symptoms, individuals with certain medical conditions - such as cancer, diabetes, hypertension, kidney disease, and people who have received organ transplants - are at greater risk of serious health complications. Currently West Nile virus activity appears to be at a relatively stable level, but the presence of the virus in places it typically doesn't appear is raising concerns among experts. This is because higher temperatures shorten the time it takes for the virus to incubate within the mosquito and become infectious. Additionally, warmer temperatures can enhance mosquito survival and reproduction rates, further amplifying the spread of the virus. Maricopa County's chief medical officer Dr Nick Staab said: 'This tragic loss is a reminder that West Nile virus can be serious, especially for older adults and those with existing health conditions. 'Monsoon season brings much-needed rain, but it also creates ideal conditions for mosquitoes to breed.' The most cases have been recorded in Arizona (17 cases), followed by Louisiana (seven), Oklahoma and Texas (five) and Tennessee (three). Other states with human cases of West Nile virus are California, Alabama, Georgia, Kansas, Mississippi, North Dakota, Nebraska, Ohio, South Carolina, and Virginia. So far this year, there have been 51 human cases of West Nile virus in the US, including 24 severe or 'neuroinvasive' cases. Last year, there were 748 human cases of the virus recorded, including 515 neuroinvasive cases. The worry among experts is that West Nile virus is spreading to new areas, and mosquitoes carrying the virus are being found in previously unaffected regions. This is partly due to climate change, which is expanding the range of mosquito-borne diseases. It is currently the leading cause of mosquito-borne disease in the US. Recently, West Nile virus has been detected in mosquitoes in New York City, but no human cases have been reported. Once a person is bitten by an infected mosquito, It generally takes between three and 14 days for the disease to develop. Around 80 percent of infected people are asymptomatic (no symptoms), but 20 percent will develop fever, headache, and body aches. In rare cases - about 1 in 150 - the virus can cause severe complications as it spreads to the brain - like encephalitis or meningitis - which may lead to paralysis, long-term disability, or death. People over the age of 60 are at greater risk for severe illness if they are infected, as are those with with certain medical conditions, such as cancer, diabetes, hypertension, and kidney disease. There is no specific treatment for the virus or vaccine, but 80 percent of cases are mild, where sufferers may experience flu-like symptoms or rashes. In more severe cases, patients have reported paralysis and memory loss. Prospero Rangel, 78, beat cancer but was left relearning how to walk after contracting West Nile virus last year. He was outside his home in Brazos County, Texas, when he was bitten and immediately began feeling 'so itchy '. Over the following days he began suffering body aches, joint pain, weakness and a fever before being admitted to hospital a week later. Rangel's daughter, Sara Salzer, said following his diagnosis: 'We've been told that there are going to be some symptoms that are going to stay with him for a while. 'We were even told that he may have to do outpatient therapy for the next year.' The CDC states that the best way to prevent West Nile is to protect yourself from mosquito bites. Bite prevention tips include using insect repellent, wearing long-sleeved shirts and pants, and using mosquito repellent devices outside and around the home. Following the first human death, residents in Maricopa County are being encouraged to remove standing water while ensuring that lawn irrigation and onsite sewage systems are properly maintained. Larvicide can also be used to treat any areas where mosquitoes could lay eggs. WHAT IS WEST NILE VIRUS West Nile virus is a disease spread by mosquitoes, which carry it from birds. It was first isolated in a woman in the West Nile district of Uganda in 1937 and spread to New York State in 1999. It generally takes between three and 14 days for the disease to develop. The West Nile virus is the most common mosquito-spread disease in the continental US, with a median of over 2,200 cases being reported every year, according to the Department of Health and Human Services. About 1,000 people are hospitalized each year with the most severe form of the disease, which if it spreads to the brain and nervous system, can cause brain swelling, brain damage and death with a 3-15 percent mortality rate. There is no specific treatment for the virus or vaccine, but 80 percent of cases are mild, where sufferers may experience flu-like symptoms or rashes.
CBS News
a day ago
- Health
- CBS News
West Nile virus mosquito spraying happening in this Bucks County, Pennsylvania town on Tuesday
Efforts to battle mosquitoes carrying West Nile virus in Pennsylvania continue this week as the Bucks County Department of Health plans to spray multiple areas in Lower Makefield Township. The county's West Nile Virus Mosquito Control Program is planning to spray multiple areas in the township, including a stretch along the Delaware River, as well as Macclesfield Park and the residential area to its southeast. The other area where spraying will occur sits to the east of William Penn Middle School. You can see maps of the relevant areas on the Bucks County website. Spraying is set to occur Tuesday, July 22, barring inclement weather, which would then push the activity to the evening of Wednesday, July 23. Residents can expect to see trucks with the Bucks County seal on their doors, spraying Duet, a mosquito adulticide. "These application materials have a very low toxicity profile to mammals and will have negligible impact to non-target insects and the environment," the Bucks County Department of Health said in a news release. Residents can also help reduce the mosquito population by getting rid of any standing water around their property in flower pots, buckets, sandboxes and clogged gutters. No human cases of West Nile virus have been reported in Pennsylvania in 2025, but it has been detected in mosquitoes in several counties, with York County having the most positive detections. Bucks County ranks fifth with the virus detected in 20 mosquitoes, according to the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection. In 2024, 60 people tested positive for West Nile virus across the commonwealth, including six people in Bucks County. Earlier this month, West Nile virus was found in mosquitoes detected near Pennypack Park in Northeast Philadelphia. The city has been spraying larvicide in an effort to control the mosquito population.
CTV News
a day ago
- Health
- CTV News
Mosquitoes in Toronto have tested positive for West Nile Virus. Here's what you need to know to protect yourself
An adult mosquito is shown in the laboratory as the 2007 West Nile Virus program of the Middlesex-London Health Unit kicked off in Strathroy, Ont., Thursday May 10, 2007. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Dave Chidley) West Nile is back in the headlines, with mosquitoes testing positive for the virus in Toronto, Niagara Region and York Region in the last week. While there haven't been any confirmed cases in humans in Ontario so far this year, there are a few crucial things to know about the virus and how to protect yourself from it. What is the West Nile virus? West Nile is a mosquito-borne virus that has the potential to cause fatal neurological disease. It is transmitted to humans through mosquitoes. Mosquitoes initially catch West Nile by feeding on perching birds, like robins, that habour the virus, creating a cycle, explained Dr. Robyn Klien, a professor at Schulich Medicine & Dentistry whose focus is on neurovirology and neuroimmunology. 'They are passing the virus between mosquitoes and birds and that's how it's maintained in nature,' she said. Some birds, like crows, are more susceptible to West Nile and can be killed by the virus. If there are several dead crows in an area, it`s often a sign that the virus is nearby. What does the West Nile virus do? Most people infected with the virus are asymptomatic, which means they don't feel anything and don`t exhibit any symptoms. Mild symptoms can include fever, headache, body aches, mild rash and swollen lymph glands. People who are 50 years old or older, have underlying conditions or a weaker immune system are at risk for more severe symptoms. Those include a quick onset of severe headache, high fever, stiff neck, nausea and/or vomiting, trouble swallowing, drowsiness, confusion, loss of consciousness, lack of co-ordination, muscle weakness or paralysis. Initial symptoms generally appear within two to 15 days after infection. For mild cases, recovery can take a week, while more severe cases have the potential to result in a slew of health issues that can last months or years after initially contacting the virus. According to Health Canada, less than one per cent of infected patients will develop severe symptoms that affect the central nervous system. Those infected with the virus cannot spread it to other humans. There is no vaccine for West Nile or medication for those infected. Klien said if someone is concerned about whether they have the virus, they can get an antibodies test through their health care provider, though it's not usually necessary for mild cases. 'If you have a neuroinvasive form of the disease, generally people will need to have a spinal tap to obtain spinal fluid to test for antibodies,' she said. How to protect yourself? Mosquitos breed in standing water, so be sure to check for areas around your home where water can collect, particularly after a rainfall. These include bird baths, flower pots, pool covers, eavestroughs and gutters. Mosquitos are most active at dusk, night and dawn. If you're planning to spend time outside during these times, it's advised that you cover up with long sleeved shirts and pants in light colours, as mosquitos are attracted to darker colours. It's also advised to use insect repellent that contains DEET on exposed skin and clothing. Make sure the windows and doors in your home have screens in good condition. What is the city doing? Toronto Public Health runs weekly mosquito surveillance from mid-June until mid-September every year. Twenty-two mosquito traps are set across the city to collect mosquitos for identification and West Nile virus testing. Confirmed and suspected human cases of the illness for Toronto residents are reportable to Toronto's Medical Officer of Health and are investigated by Toronto Public Health. Bulletins are posted to update medical professionals and the public health community with thorough epidemiologic information on the West Nile virus in Toronto. Reports are posted if sufficient cases need to be reported. How many cases of West Nile are reported in Canada? According to the most recent data from Public Health Ontario, there were 61 cases in 2023, resulting in 37 hospitalizations and one death. Toronto Public Health says that in 2023, there were a total of 22 human cases in the city. The highest number of cases in Ontario in the last decade was in 2017 when there were a total of 159 incidents of West Nile Virus.
CBS News
2 days ago
- Health
- CBS News
More mosquito samples test positive for West Nile Virus, Allegheny County Health Department says
The Allegheny County Health Department on Monday confirmed that additional mosquito samples have tested positive for West Nile Virus. The health department will treat areas for mosquitoes in the communities of Hazelwood, South Side Slopes, Arlington, Mount Oliver, Carrick, Knoxville, and Beltzhoover with the pesticide Zenivex E20. Zenivex E20 is classified by the EPA as a low-risk insecticide as it is not harmful to humans or pets. Crews will spray affected areas on Thursday, July 24, from 8 p.m. to 11 p.m. In the event of rain, spraying will take place the following Monday, July 28, during those same hours. West Nile Virus is the leading mosquito-borne disease in the U.S. and is spread to humans through bites from infected mosquitoes. Most cases of West Nile Virus occur during mosquito season, which begins in the spring and goes through the fall. The last reported human case of West Nile Virus in Allegheny County occurred in September 2024. "Generally, the species of mosquitoes that carry West Nile Virus are active from dusk to dawn," said Allegheny County Health Department Vector Control Specialist Nicholas Baldauf. "To deter mosquito bites, we encourage people to use insect repellent on exposed skin or to wear long sleeves and pants. Both methods are effective at reducing or eliminating the possibility of getting a mosquito bite." People who are infected with West Nile Virus usually do not feel sick, and only one in five infected will develop symptoms such as fever, headache, body aches, joint pain, vomiting, diarrhea, or rash. There are no vaccines to prevent or medications to treat West Nile Virus. Residents who believe they or someone they know might have contracted West Nile Virus should contact a health care professional for an official evaluation and diagnosis. "Allegheny County residents play an important role when it comes to reducing the area's mosquito population," said Baldauf. "Mosquitoes can breed in as little as a half-inch of stagnant water, so residents should pay close attention to potential breeding sites like stagnant water in tires, unused swimming pools, buckets, corrugated piping, and clogged gutters."
