The South East Health Unit is confirming the first two human cases of West Nile Virus in the region.
West Nile Virus is an infection spread to humans usually through the bite of an infected mosquito.
Four out of five of people with the virus will experience no symptoms, while others may develop several days of mild flu-like illness with fever, headache and body aches, two to fifteen days after being bitten by an infected mosquito.
In a release, the health unit says that less than one per cent of infected persons develop more severe disease, including neurological disease that can be fatal.
The risk of severe disease is higher for older people, those with immune compromise, and those with high blood pressure.
These cases were identified in a resident in the Rideau Lakes, Westport area and a resident in the Smiths Falls area.
The health unit provided the following tips to prevent mosquito bites:
- Wear 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.
- Use insect repellent with DEET or icaridin (always follow directions for use, especially for children).
- Avoid the outdoors at dawn and dusk.
- Remove standing water outside your home.
- Fix tears in window and door screens.
- Cover rain barrels with screen mesh.
For more information, visit the WNV webpage.
