Record number of West Nile cases reported in Montrgie, public health officials warn

Public health authorities in Quebec's Montrgiearewarning people to avoid getting bitten by mosquitoes, after a record number of cases of West Nile virus wasreported in the regionlast summer.

A total of75 people contracted West Nile virus in the region on Montreal's South Shore, making it the most affected part of the province in 2018.

In all, 200 Quebecers were found to be infected last summer, and four people died as a result, according to public health officials.

The head of public health for the Montrgie, Dr. Julie Loslier, said thatmost people who become infected experience no symptoms or very mild ones, includingfever, headacheand muscle pain.

She saidpeople over 50 and those with chronic illnesses are most at risk.

"Even if it's not harmful for most of the population, there are some populations where prevention is more important," Loslier said.

In some cases, infected people go on todevelop meningitis, encephalitis or paralysis and there isno treatment or vaccine.

Loslier saidthe only way to prevent becoming infectedis to avoid mosquitoes as much as possible.

She saidvulnerable people should wear long pants and long-sleeved tops when they venture outside, use mosquito repellent andstay insidein the evening, at night and in the early morning, when mosquitoes are most active.