First human case of West Nile confirmed by Public Health

The first case of West Nile virus in a human being this year has been confirmed by Niagara Region Public Health.

While most people infected with West Nile virus do not get sick, 20 per cent of people will experience flu-like symptoms and fatigue, reads a news release about the confirmation.

One per cent of individuals infected with West Nile virus will experience severe symptoms and serious health effects, such as a rapid severe headache, neck stiffness, confusion, weakness, and sudden sensitivity to light. Older individuals or individuals with compromised immune systems are at higher risk of developing severe symptoms, says the public health department.

Lisa Cox, a spokesperson for Niagara Region Public Health, said it can’t be confirmed in which of Niagara’s 12 municipalities the person became infected.

“Since the individual was outdoors and exposed to mosquitoes in many locations across the Niagara region, it is difficult to ascertain the exact location of infection,” she said in an email.

While flu-like symptoms may be attributable to many causes, West Nile virus could be a possibility in an individual experiencing any of the possible symptoms.

To prevent mosquito bites and reduce the risk of exposure to West Nile virus, Public Health recommends Fort Erie residents do the following:

• Drain standing water where mosquitoes may breed
• Repair damaged doors and window screens
• Avoid mosquito-infested areas, such as ponds
• Use insect repellents containing DEET or icaridin
• Wear long-sleeved shirts, hats, long pants, socks and shoes that cover the feet, especially at dawn and in the evening when mosquitoes are most active

Each summer, Public Health runs a larviciding program across Niagara to control mosquito populations and reduce the spread of West Nile virus.

The program involves applying larvicide to municipal and private catch basins and other areas of standing water where mosquitoes breed, including ditches and storm water retention ponds. This larvicide is Health Canada-approved and poses no risk to human health, says the recent news release.

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