Mosquitoes With West Nile Virus Discovered In Niagara Falls, St. Catharines – Hamilton
Public health in the Niagara region reports West Nile virus in a group of mosquitoes that were trapped in the past week.
It is the first batch of mosquitoes to be positive in Niagara this year, but the finding has not increased the area’s risk assessment.
A spokesperson for the region says positive pools have been confirmed in Niagara Falls, St. Catharines and Thorold.
The region’s medical officer recommends preventive measures, such as using insect repellent containing DEET or Icaridin, and wearing loose-fitting, light-colored, long-sleeved clothing to reduce the risk of bites.
“Regularly drain standing or standing water on your property, including birdbaths, old tires, buckets, toys and wheelbarrows,” Niagara Public Health said in a statement.
“Make sure all windows and doors in your home have screens that are in good condition.”
Last week, the province said no cases of West Nile virus had been detected in humans as of 2022 so far.
Thirty-six positive mosquito puddles were discovered in Ontario last week.
In all, public health departments have reported just 67 swimming pools for 2021, down from the 127 reported in 2020.
So far, the Peel region has the most reported West Nile positive pools in 2022, with nine.
