Though no West Nile cases to date, precautions should be taken: microbiologist
Though Canada's West Nile season has yet to begin, it's never too early to take precautions, a microbiologist with the Public Health Agency of Canada says.
Dr. Robin Lindsay, a research scientist with the Public Health Agency of Canada's microbiology lab in Winnipeg, told CBC News on Friday that although it's too early in the season to estimate how pronounced the West Nile virus will be this year, conditions in certain areas could be favourable for its spread.
With its wet spring, recent high temperatures and humid weather, Ontario could see a surge, since mosquitoes breed more rapidly and the virus spreads more quickly in those conditions, Lindsay said.
However, the Prairies have had a cool and fairly dry spring — weather that isn't ideal for mosquito population explosions. As for B.C., it's a "non-starter" Lindsay said, adding that most cases reported in that province in the past were the result of infections in other provinces.
According to the Public Health Agency of Canada, there have been no cases of West Nile reported this year.
"A very small percentage of mosquitoes are infected at this time of year," Lindsey said, adding the peak infection time runs from late July through September.
Last year, there were 2,215 cases of West Nile in Canada, led by Saskatchewan's 1,285 cases. Newfoundland and Labrador, P.E.I., the Yukon, the Northwest Territories and Nunavut reported no cases.
In 2006, Manitoba reported the most cases with 50, followed by Ontario, which reported 42 cases.
While many regions will be using larvicide to kill mosquito larvae in areas of standing water, Lindsay said, people should take precautions to avoid infection, including wearing protective clothing while outdoors and using insect repellents that contain the insecticide DEET.
They can also reduce mosquito populations around the home by removing sources of standing water, such as abandoned car tires, bird baths and pool covers.
Lindsay cautioned that while the public shouldn't panic about catching the virus, people should pay attention to pubic health announcements in their areas once West Nile season begins.