Chatham-Kent mosquitoes test positive for West Nile virus

A pool of mosquitoes in Chatham-Kent has tested positive for West Nile virus, according to the municipality's health unit.

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Few people with virus exhibit any signs of illness, stated the Chatham-Kent Public Health Unit in a media release, but others have flu-like symptoms including a fever, body aches and fatigue. In some severe cases people become nauseous, have difficulty swallowing, a lack of co-ordination or experience paralysis.

The chances of being bitten by an infected mosquito is low, but the health unit told residents to protect themselves by taking the following steps.

• Wearing protective, light-coloured clothes including long-sleeved shirts and pants
• Using insect repellent with DEET
• Staying indoors at dusk and dawn when the insects are most active
• Ensuring all windows and doors have tight screen without any tears or holes

People should also drain any standing water to remove the possibility of a mosquito breeding site.