The first confirmed case of West Nile Virus (WNV) in the South East Health Unit (SEHU) region this year has been detected in an American Crow found in the Brockville area. SEHU conducts ongoing mosquito and bird surveillance to monitor the spread of the virus, which is carried by mosquitoes that feed on infected birds and can be transmitted to humans through bites.
Most people infected with WNV experience mild or no symptoms, but severe cases can lead to encephalitis, a potentially serious brain inflammation. Symptoms may include fever, headache, muscle weakness, confusion, or vision loss.
Dr. Linna Li, Deputy Medical Officer of Health, reminds residents to take precautions while enjoying the outdoors—especially at dawn and dusk. Preventative steps include wearing light-coloured clothing, using insect repellent containing DEET or Icaridin, and removing standing water where mosquitoes breed. Dead birds should not be handled with bare hands.
(By: Tim Baltz)