Huron Perth Public Health has confirmed the first human case of West Nile Virus in the counties this year.
Public Health physician consultant Dr. Lauren Hayward said while the overall risk to the public is low, the virus usually gets active around late summer and early fall.
“We encourage residents to take precautions to protect themselves from mosquito bites,” said Hayward.
“If you are spending time outdoors at dawn and dusk, when mosquitos are most active, use insect repellent and wear long sleeves and pants.”
The health unit said not everyone bitten by an infected mosquito will show symptoms of the virus, with those that do will experience fever, headache, nausea, body aches, vomiting, and rashes on the chest, back, or stomach.
They added that one in 150 infected people get seriously ill.
You’re asked to use an insect repellent when outside, wear long sleeves and pants if going out, and to remove standing water around the home at least once a week to reduce mosquito breeding grounds.
