The West Nile virus is making its presence felt in the London area for the first time this season.
On Tuesday, the Middlesex-London Health Unit confirmed a trap located near Springbank Drive and Wharncliffe Road was found to contain insects that tested positive for the virus.
“While we continue our mosquito surveillance and control efforts in the region, we want to remind people across London and Middlesex County that they need to protect themselves and their families from mosquito bites,” said Jeremy Hogeveen, vector-borne disease co-ordinator with the health unit.
“You can prevent mosquito bites by covering exposed skin or using repellents that contain DEET or icaridin. Removing standing water from your property is also a great way to reduce the number of places mosquitoes can breed.”
Health officials say 80 per cent of people who become infected with West Nile virus do not get sick. Those who do become ill usually experience mild flu-like symptoms, while less than one per cent of people infected with the virus get seriously ill.
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