Hamilton warns of increased risk of West Nile Virus

A batch of mosquitoes trapped in Hamilton recently have tested positive for West Nile Virus: the first discovered in the city for 2024.

The news has prompted Hamilton’s medical officer of health to move the local risk of West Nile from low to moderate, urging locals to take precautions against mosquito bites. 

Actions residents can take to decrease their risk include removing standing water from their property to prevent mosquito breeding, using mosquito repellent containing DEET or Icaridin while outdoors, avoiding areas where mosquitoes are known to be present, and covering up outdoors by wearing brightly coloured long sleeves and long pants. 

A batch of mosquitoes trapped in #HamOnt this week tested positive for West Nile virus (WNV). These are the first WNV positive mosquitos for Hamilton this year, prompting Hamilton’s Medical Officer of Health to move the WNV risk from low to moderate.https://t.co/3kG3Vx7kUv pic.twitter.com/hKyzmtTbbk

— City of Hamilton (@cityofhamilton) July 26, 2024

Roughly 80 per cent of people infected with West Nile Virus experience no symptoms, but some may experience West Nile fever, or inflammation of the brain or lining of the brain. If symptoms do manifest, they will appear anywhere from 2 to 14 days after being bitten by an infected mosquito. 

“In the warmer months it is important to take precautions to avoid illnesses spread by insects including West Nile Virus and Lyme disease,” says Dr. Bart Harvey, Hamilton’s Associate Medical Officer of Health. 

“Employing simple preventive measures such as using insect repellent containing DEET or Icaridin, and wearing loose fitting, light-colored clothing will reduce your risk while you enjoy the outdoors.”

Read the full release on the city website.

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• mosquito
• Public Health
• summer
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• West Nile Virus