HAMILTON, Ontario – A batch of mosquitoes caught this week in Hamilton have tested positive for West Nile virus. These are the first West Nile virus-positive mosquitoes for Hamilton this year, prompting the Hamilton medical officer of Health West to move the West Nile virus risk from low to moderate.
Residents are reminded to protect themselves from mosquito bites and to remove standing water from private properties to prevent mosquito breeding.
The City of Hamilton continuously assesses the risk of human disease as part of a comprehensive West Nile virus surveillance and prevention program. The city recently completed a second round of larvicidal treatments of the city’s street catch basins, in addition to the ongoing treatment of surface water on public land.
While approximately four out of five people infected with West Nile virus will have no symptoms, others, including older people or people with weakened immune systems, may get West Nile fever (~20 percent) or may develop more severe disease, including inflammation of the brain or meninges (~1 percent). With any infection, if symptoms occur, they appear two to 14 days after being bitten by an infected mosquito.
Protect yourself and your family from mosquitoes:
- Avoid being bitten by mosquitoes.
- Use a mosquito repellent (insect spray) containing DEET or Icaridin.
- Avoid areas known to have mosquitoes, or cover up by wearing light-colored long sleeves and long pants when in mosquito areas, such as wooded areas, on the golf course, or in the garden, especially at dawn and dusk when mosquitoes are most active.
- Reduce mosquito breeding grounds by removing standing water at least once a week from your property.
“In the warmer months, it’s important to take precautions to avoid insect-borne diseases, including West Nile virus and Lyme disease. Using simple preventative measures such as using an insect repellent containing DEET or Icaridin and wearing loose, light-colored clothing will reduce your risk while enjoying the outdoors.”
– Dr. Bart Harvey, Associate Medical Officer of Health
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