Year’s first West Nile virus found in Niagara

Mosquitos in St. Catharines and Pelham have tested positive for West Nile virus, marking Niagara’s first confirmations of 2017.

No human cases have been reported to Niagara Region Public Health, but residents across the region are being urged to take necessary precautions to reduce the risk.

“Most people won’t even know they were bitten by a mosquito that carried West Nile,” said Peter Jekel, Niagara Region manager of environmental health.

Jekel said there are variances in how people are affected. Some show no symptoms while about 20 per cent get flu-like symptoms and feel under the weather.

About one in 150 will develop neurological conditions.

The Region has 21 mosquito traps for testing which dot every municipality, with higher concentrations in areas with larger populations such as St. Catharines, Niagara Falls and Welland.

The traps are tested on a weekly basis from the beginning of June to the end of September.

Jekel said when they get positive pools the Region informs the community and physicians to put them on heightened alert.

Residents are advised to wear long-sleeved shirts, long pants, socks and shoes when outdoors, along with mosquito repellent with DEET or Icaridin.

Making sure windows and doors in a home have screens in good condition is also advised.

Public health said residents with standing or stagnant water on their property should drain it on a regular basis, including bird baths, old tires, pails, toys and wheelbarrows, to avoid breeding areas.

West Nile virus was discovered for the first time in North America in 1999. It made its first appearance in Niagara in 2001 in a dead blue jay.