Hastings Prince Edward Public Health is reporting a local case of West Nile virus (WNv).
The health unit says Public Health Ontario labs confirmed the case in a Prince Edward County resident.
While HPEPH says the presence of mosquitoes carrying WNv was reported by them during the summer of 2024, it is the first human case of WNv reported in Hastings and Prince Edward Counties since 2022.
WNv is spread to humans and animals through bites by infected mosquitoes.
Early symptoms of the virus can include fever, muscle weakness, stiff neck, confusion, severe headache, sudden sensitivity to light, tremors, numbness, or vision loss.
The health unit says most infected individuals have mild symptoms or none at all.
However, in severe cases, WNv can cause inflammation of the brain, known as encephalitis.
The following tips were provided by the health unit to prevent WNv.
- Wear light-coloured clothing and minimize exposed skin if you are out at dawn and dusk.
- Use an insect repellant containing DEET or Icaridin and follow manufacturer’s directions.
- Consider wearing permethrin-treated clothing.
- Remove any sources of standing water where mosquitoes can lay their eggs, including jars, discarded tires, clogged gutters, yard decorations, and stock tanks.
- Empty bird baths every other day and cover rain barrels with a tight-fitting fly screening.
- If you encounter a dead bird, do not handle it with bare hands, instead, use a shovel to dispose of it.
- If you must handle the bird, wear rubber gloves and wash hands well with soap and water after handling.
- Report dead birds to the Canadian Wildlife Health Cooperative.
