Mosquitoes test positive for West Nile virus in Milton

By: Kim Brown Staff Reporter, Published on Mon Jul 28 2014
Residents in Halton Region may want to arm themselves with bug repellant before heading outdoors this weekend.
A batch of mosquitoes collected in Milton tested positive for West Nile virus last week. This is the first batch of mosquitoes that tested positive for the virus in Halton this year, according to a news release from the Region.
“This is the time of year we start to see positive lab results for West Nile virus,” said Dr. Hamidah Meghani, Halton Region Medical Officer of Health.
“Halton residents should protect themselves against mosquito bites and get rid of mosquito breeding sites now and until the West Nile virus season winds down in the fall.”
West Nile virus is transmitted by mosquitoes that become infected by feeding on an infected bird. Most people infected with the virus show no symptoms and less than 1 per cent of people infected become ill enough to be hospitalized.
The mosquitoes that transmit West Nile virus to humans usually breed in urban areas where things like bird baths, plant pots, old toys and tires accumulate water.
While staying indoors is not an option for most during the warm summer months, there are things residents can do to protect themselves from mosquitoes:
Cover up. Wear light-coloured, long-sleeved shirts and pants with tightly-woven fabric.
Avoid being outdoors from early evening to morning when mosquitoes are most active and likely to bite, as well as at any time in shady, wooded areas.
Reduce mosquito breeding sites around your home by getting rid of all water-filled containers and objects. Change the water in bird baths at least once per week.
Use an approved insect repellent, such as one containing DEET.
Make sure window and door screens are tight and without holes, cuts or other openings.
A map showing the locations of standing water sites that have had larvicide applied in the Halton Region can be found here.
Mosquitoes in Toronto tested positive for the virus around the same time last year, although no Toronto batches have tested positive this year.
With files from Andrew Nguyen