West Nile virus testing begins across Simcoe Muskoka
Mosquito bites are a common nuisance in the summer months, causing itchy, red flaming bumps, on the skin. As the pesky-mosquito season returns, the local health unit is preparing to launch its annual West Nile virus (WNv) surveillance program.
Health officials with the Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit (SMDHU) will begin setting mosquito traps and monitoring larvae. This year, catch basin larviciding will take place in Barrie and Bradford.
The goal is to gather early data on mosquito populations and figure out which species are active, and test for the presence of West Nile virus. 'The mosquitos are collected and submitted to a laboratory for species identification and viral testing,' said officials from SMDHU.
A demonstration of one of the mosquito traps is taking place at Little Lake Park in Barrie on Tuesday. The health unit will show how the traps work and explain their role in tracking mosquito activity.
From now until Oct., 31, licensed technicians will be applying a pesticide to municipal catch basins to keep mosquitoes from turning into virus-carrying pesky bugs.
Buzz off, avoiding mosquitoes
To reduce your exposure to mosquitoes, SMDHU encourages you to boycott breeding sites around your home or cottage and take personal measures to prevent getting those itchy mosquito bites.
Typical symptoms of the virus include fever, muscle weakness, stiff neck, confusion, severe headache, and sudden sensitivity to light, and very rarely, can cause severe neurological issues.
What is West Nile virus?
West Nile virus is a mosquito-borne virus spread to people by the bite of an infected mosquito. While human infections from West Nile virus remain rare, the health unit continues to emphasize prevention. Mosquitoes become infected after feeding on infected birds, and the virus can be passed on to humans through bites.
Most people show no symptoms, but in rare cases, WNv can lead to serious illness, like encephalitis, meningitis, or muscle paralysis.
Confirmed cases in Simcoe County
Last year, the region saw two confirmed human cases of West Nile virus following laboratory results in the month of September. The health unit does not release information about those involved for privacy reasons.
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