Huron Perth Public Health said Tuesday that mosquitoes collected from traps in Stratford and southern Huron County have tested positive for West Nile Virus.
It’s the first positive mosquito findings of the season and indicated that West Nile Virus-positive mosquitos could be present anywhere in both counties.
Public health was also notified of an American Crow testing positive for the virus in the north Huron area.
Dale Lyttle, a senior public health inspector, said positive mosquito pools in the month of August is not surprising and people are at greater risk of contracting the virus in late summer.
Lyttle said it’s important to protect yourself outdoors when mosquitoes are most active.
To help reduce mosquito breeding and lower the risk of potential virus transmission, larvicide has been applied to roadside catch basins in Perth County.
Three confirmed human cases of the virus have been reported this year.
You can protect yourself from mosquito bites through using insect repellent containing DEET, wearing long sleeves and pants and removing standing water around your home once a week to reduce mosquito breeding grounds.
