West Nile virus warning issued

Ottawa Public Health is warning people to protect themselves from mosquito bites after detecting West Nile virus in the city’s mosquito population.

Ongoing testing confirmed the virus in three places in the city’s east end earlier this month.

There have been no human cases of West Nile virus reported in Ottawa this year. Last year there were two confirmed or probable cases in Ottawa and 13 across the province. So far this year, three cases have been reported in Ontario.

West Nile virus is commonly spread by infected mosquitoes.

It can cause fevers, encephalitis or meningitis. It was first detected in North America in 1999 and has since spread across

High fever, nausea, difficulty swallowing, sore neck and vomiting can be symptoms.

the continent with cases reported annually.

The risk to Canadians remains low, because relatively few mosquitoes are infected.

Still, public health officials warn people who are outdoors in infected areas should take precautions.

Up to 80 per cent of people who get infected with West Nile virus have no symptoms. Symptoms can appear up to two weeks after infection.

They may include flulike symptoms such as fever, headache, body aches, a mild rash and swollen lymph glands.

Adults over 50 and people with weak immune systems or other health issues are at greater risk of developing more severe symptoms of West Nile virus, including encephalitis and meningitis.

High fever, nausea, difficulty swallowing, sore neck and vomiting can be symptoms of more severe illness related to West Nile.

People who spend time outdoors are encouraged to wear long-sleeved shirts and pants in light colours, use insect repellent containing DEET or other approved ingredients, empty standing water around their property and check screens at home to keep mosquitoes outdoors.

Ottawa Public Health no longer tests dead birds to check for the virus, but routinely tests pools of mosquitoes.

A handful of deaths have been linked to West Nile virus in Canada in recent years, including in the Toronto area and southern Alberta.