West Nile virus is a viral infection transmitted by mosquitoes. Mosquitoes pick up the virus from feeding on birds and then can transmit the illness to humans. West Nile virus (WNV) was first detected in North America in 1999. Since then it has spread across Canada, with human cases reported in all provinces except Newfoundland and Labrador. Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph Public Health has been actively involved in surveillance for WNV since 2000, and larviciding since 2003. While the number of human cases of WNV has captured media attention, it is important to know that the risk of being bitten by a mosquito infected with WNV is low: - The majority of serious cases occur in older adults.
- The risk of serious health effects from the virus in a healthy person is also low.
As a safety precaution, it is important to take steps to reduce your chance of being bitten by mosquitoes, and to know the symptoms of WNV infection. What are the symptoms? Although most people show no symptoms, 20 per cent display flu-like illness. Symptoms typically develop 3 - 15 days after a bite. Blood testing by a physician confirms a diagnosis. How can I protect myself and my family? - Keep mosquitoes out of your home. Make sure doors and windows have tight fitting screens.
- Reduce mosquito-breeding areas. Get rid of standing water from around your home.
- Prevent mosquito bites. Wear light coloured long-sleeved tops and long pants. Use mosquito repellents that contain DEET on your exposed skin.
How Public Health helps control the risk of infection. Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph Public Health's plan for the preparedness and prevention of WNV includes three major activities under the guidance of MOHLTC recommendations: Public education, reducing mosquito breeding sites, and monitoring for WNV in the area and in the community. A) Public Education WDGPH has several educational resources on WNV, personal protection, how to reduce mosquito breeding around your neighbourhood and other WNV related topics. Please check our website for more information. B) Reducing mosquito breeding through larviciding This year's larviciding program will start on June 1, 2010 (2010 Larviciding Notice). Larviciding involves applying environmentally friendly products to reduce mosquito larvae (immature mosquitoes) living in stagnant water. The products are being applied to municipal catch basins and selected municipal surface water sites. Only those sites that contain larvae of mosquitoes known to carry WNV will be treated. Larviciding will be carried out in Erin, Guelph, Guelph-Eramosa, Puslinch (Morriston), and Orangeville. C) Monitoring for WNV in the area and in the community WDGPH monitors for WNV in people and mosquitoes. Numbers, species and locations of adult and larval mosquito population are monitored to detect the presence of WNV. Bird testing also helps monitor the presence of the virus in the area. This data will provide information to identify WNV in Wellington, Dufferin Counties and the City of Guelph and to assess it's risk to human health. RESOURCES EXTERNAL RESOURCES | 
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