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More Positive Tests for West Nile Virus in Perth County

Wednesday, 23 August 2017 13:46

Two additional mosquito pools in Perth County have tested positive for West Nile Virus.

Tests on mosquito traps in Mitchell and Listowel in Perth County have tested positive for West Nile Virus. 

So far in August, 5 mosquito pools in Perth County have tested positive for the disease. In Oxford County we have only had one positive test so far at a mosquito trap in Tillsonburg. 

Senior Public Health Inspector with Perth County Public Health Dale Lyttle says they were not surprised with the results as West Nile virus activity has been increasing in Ontario over the past couple of weeks. 

"We are not surprised with this result as West Nile virus activity has been increasing in Ontario over the past few weeks. So far in 2017, 172 WNV-positive mosquito pools have been found in Ontario. A mosquito pool is a group of female mosquitoes belonging to the same species."

Mosquitoes are usually active until the first hard frost. The Health Unit is asking residents to protect themselves from mosquito bites by:

- Removing standing water around the home at least once a week to reduce mosquito breeding grounds.

- Using insect repellent when outdoors; a repellent with DEET or Icaridin offers the most effective protection.

- Covering up with light-coloured clothes, long sleeves and pants when outdoors or while in areas where mosquito activity is high.

- Taking extra protection measures at dusk and dawn when mosquitoes are most active.

No human cases of West Nile Virus have been reported in the region this year. The last human case in Oxford County was back in 2006. 

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