Brant
County Health Unit reports zero West Nile Virus-positive mosquito pools
Brantford, ON (September
2, 2016) - Overall, it has been a relatively low activity season for West Nile
Virus (WNV) in Brantford and Brant County. The Brant County Health Unit did not
detect any positive WNV mosquito pools this season. Recent reports of
human cases of WNV are being seen in the news in nearby urban areas in southern
Ontario.
Symptoms of West Nile Virus include fever, headache, body
aches, mild rash and swollen lymph glands. However, the vast majority (70-80
per cent) of humans who carry West Nile Virus display no symptoms at all.
To protect the health of
Brantford and Brant County, residents are encouraged to take precautions to
limit their exposure to mosquitoes when enjoying outdoor activities to decrease
their chances of becoming ill with West Nile Virus by:
• Draining any small pools of
standing water on private property, or reporting larger bodies of standing
water by contacting the BCHU at 519-753-4937 ext. 444, as standing water is
often a breeding ground for mosquito populations
• Wearing loose-fitting,
long-sleeved shirts, long-legged pants, socks and a hat (including a mosquito
head net) to avoid mosquito bites
• Use insect repellent sprays or lotions that contain the
chemicals DEET or Icaridin
-30-
