Chatham-Kent mosquitoes test positive for West Nile virus
A pool of mosquitoes in Chatham-Kent has tested positive for West Nile virus, according to the municipality's health unit.
Few people with virus exhibit any signs of illness, stated the Chatham-Kent Public Health Unit in a media release, but others have flu-like symptoms including a fever, body aches and fatigue. In some severe cases people become nauseous, have difficulty swallowing, a lack of co-ordination or experience paralysis.
The chances of being bitten by an infected mosquito is low, but the health unit told residents to protect themselves by taking the following steps.
- Wearing protective, light-coloured clothes including long-sleeved shirts and pants
- Using insect repellent with DEET
- Staying indoors at dusk and dawn when the insects are most active
- Ensuring all windows and doors have tight screen without any tears or holes
People should also drain any standing water to remove the possibility of a mosquito breeding site.
