Ottawa Public Health urges residents to remain vigilant against West Nile virus

Ottawa Public Health (OPH) is reminding residents to protect against mosquito bites after mosquito trapping and testing for West Nile virus (WNV) have confirmed a positive mosquito group in Ottawa. 

While there are currently no reported human cases in Ottawa, there are two human cases in Ontario as of July 26. The infection is spread mostly by the northern house mosquito and most people will not experience symptoms if infected.

About 20 per cent of those infected may experience flu-like symptoms such as fever, headache, muscle-aches and a rash which will show up two to 14 days after being bitten. Less than one per cent of infections lead to very serious illness, impacting the brain and spinal cord — this risk is higher in people with weakened immune systems and risk increases with age.

Here are the ways to protect from mosquito bites:

• Applying a Health Canada-approved mosquito repellent containing DEET or icaridin to exposed skin and to clothing (follow manufacturer’s instructions)
• Protecting yourself between dusk and dawn especially, 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 tightly fitted screen mesh at all times 

OPH takes a proactive approach to monitoring for West Nile virus, including weekly mosquito surveillance to monitor virus activity and assess potential risk. It also works with city partners to apply larvicide in roadside storm sewer catch-basins to reduce populations of mosquitos that have potential to spread the virus.

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