West Nile virus detected in mosquitos in Ottawa

West Nile Virus (WNV) has been detected in mosquitoes in the Ottawa region.

Through mosquito trapping and testing, Ottawa Public Health (OPH) has confirmed the first positive mosquito pools by lab result. It was detected in two separate pools for the first time since the since the annual monitoring season began on June 1.

OPH wants residents to know that even in September, there remains an increased risk for human WNV infection. To help reduce mosquito populations, residents are asked to get rid of all outdoor objects that can hold water, where mosquitoes can lay their eggs. 

WNV is an infection spread primarily by the northern house mosquito that, in a small number of cases, can cause serious illness. Most people will not develop any symptoms if infected, but about 20 per cent may experience flu-like symptoms, including fever, headache, muscle aches and, possibly, a rash. The risk of more serious illness increases with age, with older adults, the elderly, and people with weakened immune systems being at highest risk.

OPH has some tips to help protect yourself and your family from mosquito bites:

• Applying a Health Canada-approved mosquito repellent containing DEET or icaridin to exposed skin and to clothing
• Protecting yourself especially between dusk and dawn, when mosquitoes are most active, and at all times in or near shady, bushy, or wooded areas
• Wearing light-coloured, tightly woven, loose-fitting clothing, including long pants, a long-sleeved shirt, shoes and socks to protect exposed skin
• Making sure all windows and doors in your home have well-fitting screens that are in good condition
• Reducing standing water sites around your home, such as bird baths, toys, flowerpot saucers, swimming pool covers, old tires, wheelbarrows, buckets, and cans – anything that can hold water for seven days or longer
• Keeping all openings to rain barrels covered with screen mesh at all times

There have been no reported, confirmed, or probable human cases of West Nile virus in Ottawa this year, and as of Sep. 1, there have been no reported human cases in Ontario this year either.