Hastings Prince Edward Public Health officials have begun the annual summer mosquito surveillance program in the fight against West Nile Virus.
Spokesman Apte Sookoo tells Quinte News a total of 17 mosquito traps have been set in the Quinte area and as far north as Bancroft.
Sookoo says two types of mosquitoes carry the disease and they are mainly what he calls “city mosquitoes.”
The insects collected are sent to a laboratory in Quebec.
In 2017, there were 13 pools of mosquitoes that tested positive for West Nile Virus, and last year only four pools tested positive.
West Nile Virus
West Nile virus is a viral infection found in birds and carried by mosquitoes which feed on infected birds. West Nile virus is spread to humans and animals through bites by infected mosquitoes.
The majority of infected individuals have mild or no symptoms. Early symptoms can include fever, muscle weakness, stiff neck, confusion, severe headache, sudden sensitivity to light, tremors, numbness, or vision loss.
The elderly and those with certain chronic medical problems, including problems with their immune systems, are more susceptible. In severe cases, West Nile virus can cause an inflammation of the brain known as encephalitis.
