News Release
The Nipissing Region Health Department confirmed the first two cases of West Nile virus in the region. John Smith, head of the health department, said the virus spreads through mosquitos and is usually not dangerous but residents, especially seniors and those with underlying illnesses, should be cautious to avoid infection. Residents are urged to take steps to prevent mosquito bites like wearing light clothing, avoiding the outdoors at dawn and dusk, ensuring windows fit tightly, eliminating standing water, and using insect repellent. The region's mosquito surveillance program has detected the virus in mosquitos for five weeks due to an unusually long breeding season caused by climate change.
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News Release
- 1. Contact: Sal Hosny The Nipissing Region Health Department 343 Yonge St. E. Nipissing, ON M2N 3B3 Tel: 647-111-2222 Cell: 647-111-3333 Email: sal.hosny@nrhd.ca For Immediate Release FIRST WEST NILE VIRUS CASES CONFIRMED IN NIPISSING REGION Nipissing. ON October 7, 2011 - The Nipissing Region health department confirmed that at least two people have been infected with the West Nile virus in the Nipissing region according to a positive test report received from the Toronto Laboratory of Public Health Ontario. The virus spreads through mosquitos during the breeding season and is not dangerous in most cases, said John Smith, head of the health department. However, residents should be more cautious to avoid infection, especially seniors and people with underlying illnesses. Only 20 per cent of those infected suffer from mild symptoms such as chills, headache, and nausea. Death is rare, and less than one per cent develops serious conditions. Residents are urged to take the following steps to avoid catching the disease: Cover up and wear light coloured long-sleeved shirts. Avoid going out from early evening to morning. Ensure that windows fit tightly. Get rid of water-filler containers around the property. Use an approved insect repellent. Report standing water to the department. -more-
- 2. Nipissing/Page 2 The Nipissing regions mosquito surveillance program team has found the virus in batches of mosquitos for the past five weeks, due to an unusually longer breeding season in northern Ontario. It believes that climate change in recent years, due to global warming, is behind this phenomenon. -30-