CK Public Health is advising residents that mosquitoes collected from a trap in Dresden have tested positive for West Nile Virus.
CK Public Health said this is the first positive pool identified in Chatham-Kent from this season and this trap in particular.
West Nile Virus is transmitted to people through mosquito bites and while many infected do not feel symptoms, older individuals and those with compromised immune systems are at higher risk of severe illness.
Some may also experience mild symptoms such as fever, headache, body aches and fatigue. In rare cases, infected individuals may experience more severe illness, including stiff neck, nausea, difficulty swallowing, vomiting, and paralysis. Anyone with severe symptoms should seek immediate medical attention.
West Nile Virus is a risk with any mosquito bite and Public Health recommends protecting yourself by wearing light-coloured clothing, including long-sleeved shirts, long pants, and socks, staying indoors when mosquitoes are most active (dusk to dawn), and eliminating sources of standing water on your property to prevent mosquito breeding.
To stay in the know on the CK Public Health West Nile Virus surveillance program click here.