The West Nile Virus continues to spread across Chatham-Kent.
The Chatham-Kent Public Health Unit (CKPHU) said on Tuesday that mosquitoes collected from three different trap sites -- all in Chatham -- have tested positive for the virus for the first time this season.
Officials said the mosquitoes were collected from traps in the Northeast, Northwest, and Southwest areas of the city on August 20, 2024.
Mosquitoes taken from three other pools in Chatham-Kent also tested positive earlier this summer -- one in Wheatley on July 3, one in Dresden on August 7, and one in Ridgetown on August 13.
CK public health officials are reminding the public that the West Nile Virus is transmitted to people through the bite of an infected mosquito, but they have not released any information about any human cases in Chatham-Kent yet this year.
The CKPHU said most people who are infected by the virus do not experience any symptoms, but some may experience mild flu-like symptoms including fever, headache, body aches, and fatigue.
In rare cases, infected individuals will experience more severe symptoms including stiff neck, nausea, difficulty swallowing, vomiting, and paralysis. Anyone experiencing those symptoms should seek medical attention right away.
You can protect yourself against mosquito bites by using insect repellant with DEET, staying indoors when mosquitoes are most active, eliminating standing water from your property to prevent mosquito breeding, and covering up with long-sleeved shirts, long pants, and socks.