West Nile-carrying mosquitoes present in Ottawa, OPH says

Ottawa Public Health (OPH) is asking residents to protect themselves from mosquito bites while outdoors, after the agency found the West Nile virus in local mosquitoes.

West Nile isa mosquito-transmitted virus that can be transferred to humans through abite from aninfected insect. Ina small number of cases, the infection can cause serious illness.

There has been no reported, confirmed or probable human cases of the virusin Ottawa in 2018, OPH said in a news release issued Thursday.In Ontario, as of July 21, there have been two reported human cases this year.

Last year, there were 20 confirmed or probable human cases reported in Ottawa, and 147 confirmed or probable human cases in Ontario.

How to protect yourself

If stung, most people will not developsymptoms, but about 20 per cent may experience flu-like symptoms, including fever, headache, muscle achesandpossiblya rash, the agency said.

The more serious illnesses, which occurin less than oneper cent of infections, invadethe central nervous system. People with weakened immune systems and the elderly face a higher risk of developing a severe illness.

Ottawa Public Health is asking residents to protect themselves and their familiesby applying mosquito repellent containing DEET or icaridin to exposed skin and clothing, andwearing light-coloured, tightly woven, loose-fitting clothing, including long pants, a long-sleeved shirt, shoes and socks, to protect exposed skin.

Residents shouldalso be cautious about leaving objects outside homes that can hold water,which mosquitoes can lay their eggs in, the agency said.