London, ON – Although summer is waning, West Nile Virus activity continues to grow across London and Middlesex County. The latest evidence comes from another mosquito trap which turned up insects which have tested positive for the virus. Since the announcement on July 17th of the region’s first positive mosquito trap, located in North London, an additional three positive traps have been identified. The two latest positive traps are located near the intersection of Wellington and Southdale, and near the intersection of Huron and Adelaide Streets.
“For us to find more positive traps in London at this point in the year indicates that West Nile Virus activity is ongoing and that residents need to remain diligent at protecting themselves until the first hard frost,” says Iqbal Kalsi, Environmental Health Manager at the Middlesex-London Health Unit. “It’s simple to protect yourself and your family, you can reduce mosquito habitats by removing standing water where it gathers on your property and you can repel mosquitoes by using an insect repellent that contains DEET.”
Because one of the most recent West Nile Virus-positive mosquito traps was found near the Dearness Home, the Health Unit has been in contact with management to provide information and resources to residents and staff about how to protect themselves from mosquito bites.
The majority of people (80%) who become infected with West Nile Virus do not get sick. While those who do become ill usually experience mild flu-like symptoms; a small proportion of those who are infected, fewer than one percent, experience more severe effects of the virus including encephalitis (swelling of the brain), muscle weakness and/or paralysis.
The Health Unit’s Vector-Borne Disease Team monitors 23 adult mosquito traps throughout London and Middlesex County, which are still being checked weekly. In addition, the Team has conducted weekly larval mosquito monitoring at some 250 standing water locations on public property since the beginning of May. Over 800 standing water treatments have been made where mosquito larvae capable of carrying West Nile Virus are identified. This is in addition to 35,000 roadside catch basins in London and Middlesex County, which have already received three treatments this year.
For more information about West Nile Virus and other vector-borne diseases, please visit: www.healthunit.com/vector-borne-diseases-west-nile-virus.
Media Contact:
Dan Flaherty, Communications Manager, Middlesex-London Health Unit, 519-663-5317 ext. 2469 or 519-617-0570 (cell.)
Spokesperson:
Iqbal Kalsi, Environmental Health Manager, Middlesex-London Health Unit