There have been no reported, confirmed or probable cases of West Nile virus in people in Ottawa so far in 2022, however.
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Health officials are warning people to be extra vigilant for bites after recording the first positive tests for West Nile virus in mosquitos in the Ottawa region this season.
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Two mosquito testing pools were positive — a first since the annual program to trap and test mosquitos started June 1, Ottawa Public Health said Friday. Mosquitos can pose the threat of spreading the virus until a hard frost.
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There have been no reported, confirmed or probable cases of West Nile virus in people in Ottawa this year, OPH said. As of Sept. 1, there had been no reported human cases in Ontario this year, either.
Ottawa residents were asked to reduce the numbers of mosquitos by getting rid of outdoor items that could hold water and where mosquitos could lay their eggs.
West Nile virus is spread primarily by the northern house mosquito.
Most infected people won’t develop any symptoms, but about one in five may have flu-like symptoms, including fever, headache, muscle aches and possibly a rash, OPH said.
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In less than one per cent of cases, the virus invades the central nervous system and causes more serious illness. Older adults, the elderly and people with weakened immune systems are at higher risk.
OPH advises people to use Health Canada-approved mosquito repellents containing DEET or icaridin, to cover up with tightly-woven and light-coloured clothing, to make sure window screens are well-fitted and in good condition and to reduce water left standing for a week or longer.
Along with weekly surveillance, the health unit says it puts larvicide in standing water on city property when needed and regularly applies the larvicide in city-own roadside storm sewer catch basins to reduce the number of mosquitos.
First mosquitoes test positive for West Nile virus this season: OPH - Ottawa Citizen
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