Health unit confirms year's first local human case of West Nile Virus

The Middlesex-London Health Unit (MLHU) is reporting the first locally-acquired human case of West Nile Virus (WNV) of 2024.

So far, four mosquito traps in Middlesex-London havetested positive for the virusthis year. According to Public Health Ontario, there have been four human cases of WNV in the province to date, as well as 67 WNV-positive mosquito pools.

"Despite prevention efforts, we're seeing a lot of mosquitoes and larvae due to record rainfalls this summer," saidDr. Joanne Kearon, acting medical officer of health with the MLHU."We must continue to protect ourselves by taking personal measures against mosquito bites."

The health unit is continuing to monitor WNV in the region. Its vector-borne disease team has administered two rounds of treatment on approximately 70,000 catch basins. It has also completed 668 surface water treatments at approximately 185 sites on public property.

Eighty per cent of people who become infected with West Nile virus do not get sick.More than 19 per cent experience flu-like symptoms and fewer than one per cent become seriously ill. The health unit did not say whether the person who contracted the virus was suffering serious symptoms.

Tips for protecting yourself and your family from West Nile Virus include:

• Wearing light-coloured clothing with long sleeves, pants and socks in areas where mosquitoes are present, especially at dusk and dawn when they are most active.
• Using insect repellent with DEET (always follow directions for use, especially for children).
• Avoiding the outdoors at dawn and dusk.
• Removing standing water outside your home.
• Fixing tears in window and door screens.