Latest news with #mosquitoBites
CBC
4 hours ago
- Health
- CBC
West Nile virus risk moved to high in Hamilton as 1st human case this season confirmed, public health says
The first human case of West Nile virus this season has been confirmed in Hamilton, public health says. In a news release on Monday, the city also said West Nile virus risk has been moved to "high." "Residents are reminded to protect themselves against mosquito bites and to remove standing water from private property to prevent mosquito breeding," the city said. In the news release, it also asked people to take precautions against the virus, like using bug spray containing DEET or Icaridin, avoid or protect yourself when in wooded areas, golf courses or gardens, "especially at dawn and dusk," and remove standing water at least weekly from private property. "The risk of these infections will drop once there is a heavy frost that reduces the number of mosquitoes," said associate medical officer of health Bart Harvey. The city said Monday it was completing "its third round of larvicide treatments on city street catch basins, in addition to treatment of surface waters on public land." On July 25, the city said a trapped batch of mosquitoes had tested positive for West Nile virus, which then led the city to increase the risk of contracting the virus from "low" to "moderate." According to public health, around 80 per cent of people infected with West Nile virus won't have any symptoms. However, these can show up two to 14 days after being bitten by a West Nile virus-infected mosquito. Older adults and people with a weakened immune system "may experience West Nile fever or they may develop more severe illness including inflammation of the brain or the lining of the brain, which can happen in about one per cent of those infected," the city said.
CBC
2 days ago
- Health
- CBC
First human case of West Nile virus reported in Windsor-Essex, health unit says
The Windsor-Essex County Health Unit (WECHU) has reported its first human case of West Nile virus of 2025. That's slightly later than last year, when the first human case appeared in July, according to the health unit's infectious disease dashboard. It's a reminder for Windsor-Essex residents to protect themselves from mosquito bites, the health unit said. "It is important for everyone to eliminate any standing water around their property and take personal protective measures to avoid mosquito bites even as we approach the cooler fall months," said Dr. Mehdi Aloosh, medical officer of health for Windsor-Essex. West Nile virus is transmitted through the bite of an infected mosquito. Some people experience no symptoms, but others can experience fever, headaches, nausea, vomiting, body aches, skin rashes and swollen lymph glands. Symptoms usually begin between two and 14 days after transmission. People over the age of 50 and those with weakened immune systems are at higher risk of severe disease. The health unit offered the following tips for avoiding mosquito bites: Apply insect repellents that are approved by Health Canada, and follow the manufacturer's instructions. Wear long-sleeved shirts, long pants, and a hat when outdoors. Light-coloured clothing is best as mosquitoes tend to be attracted to dark colours. Limit the time you spend outdoors at dawn and dusk when mosquitoes are most active. Remove any standing water in places such as bird baths, buckets, old tires, pet water dishes and gutters around your property. Make sure that door and window screens fit securely and are holes-free. Call 311 or your local bylaw enforcement for standing water observed in your community. The health unit recorded seven human cases of West Nile virus in the county in 2024, according to its dashboard. That was the highest number since 2018, when it recorded 13 cases; it recorded 20 in 2017. Its year-to-month five-year average is just 2.4 cases.
CTV News
3 days ago
- Health
- CTV News
First human case of West Nile virus this year reported in Windsor-Essex
The Windsor-Essex County Health Unit has confirmed its first human case of West Nile virus this year in one resident. The virus is an infection transmitted to people through the bite of an infected mosquito. The health unit said this positive human case is a reminder for Windsor-Essex residents to continue to protect themselves. 'It is important for everyone to eliminate any standing water around their property and take personal protective measures to avoid mosquito bites even as we approach the cooler fall months', said Dr. Aloosh, WECHU medical officer of health. Most people with WNV never develop symptoms and will not know that they have infection with the virus. Symptoms usually start to show between 2-14 days after a person is bitten by an infected mosquito. They can include fever, headache, nausea, vomiting, body aches, skin rash, and swollen lymph glands. While WNV can infect people of all ages, people over the age of 50 and those with weakened immune systems are at higher risk for severe disease. Anyone concerned about any symptoms should contact their health care following tips can help protect individuals from mosquito bites: Apply insect repellents that are approved by Health Canada and follow the manufacturer's instructions. Wear long-sleeved shirts, long pants, and a hat when outdoors. Light-coloured clothing is best as mosquitoes tend to be attracted to dark colours. Limit the time you spend outdoors at dawn and dusk when mosquitoes are most active. Remove any standing water in places such as bird baths, buckets, old tires, pet water dishes and gutters around your property. Make sure that door and window screens fit securely and are holes-free. Call 311 or your local by-law enforcement for standing water observed in your community For more information on WNV, please visit the WECHU's WNV page. For mosquito-borne disease surveillance data, please visit Data is updated every Friday
CBS News
28-07-2025
- Health
- CBS News
West Nile virus reported in western Wisconsin resident, health officials say
A resident of Barron County, Wisconsin, has contracted West Nile virus, the first reported case in the state in 2025. The Wisconsin Department of Health Services reported the case on Monday, though details about the resident's condition weren't released. According to state health officials, mosquitoes collected in Milwaukee and Lafayette counties also tested positive for the virus. "The first detections of West Nile virus this year are a reminder to take steps to prevent mosquito bites and possible disease," Paula Tran, state health officer and administrator of the Division of Public Health with the DHS, said. Health officials recommend the following steps to avoid mosquito bites: Mosquitoes in all seven counties of the Twin Cities metro have already tested positive for the virus this year, which the Metropolitan Mosquito Control District said is earlier than usual. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says one in five people who are infected will develop a fever and other minor symptoms, and one in around 150 people will develop a severe illness. Note: The video above originally aired July 3, 2025.
CBC
18-07-2025
- Health
- CBC
Mosquitos in Toronto test positive for West Nile virus, but city says risk of infection is low
Toronto Public Health has confirmed some mosquitos in the city have tested positive for West Nile virus, but say the risk of infection is low if precautions are taken. The findings mark the first positive cases this year after results came back on three batches of mosquitos collected in the city, the public health agency said in a news release on Friday. West Nile virus is transmitted to humans from the bites of infected mosquitos. Symptoms can take two to 14 days to develop and include fever, headache, nausea, skin rash and body aches. People over the age of 50 or with weakened immune systems are at a greater risk of severe illness, said TPH. TPH says residents should take necessary precautions to avoid mosquito bites, such as: Wear long, light-coloured clothing. Use Health Canada-approved insect repellent. Be cautious at dawn and dusk when mosquitoes are most active. Eliminate pools of water on your property, such as in planters, pool covers and waste containers. TPH says it collects mosquitos in 22 traps across the city and tests them every week. The city conducts annual mosquito surveillance from mid-June until mid-September.
