The province’s chief medical officer is warning residents to protect themselves against the West Nile virus and Lyme disease.
Though the number of cases of Lyme disease has been stable for the past three years, positive tests for the West Nile virus have gone up.
So far this year, 43 mosquito pools have been found to contain the virus, more than in the same period for the last four years.
The symptoms of West Nile are usually mild and include fever, headache, body ache, nausea, vomiting and rashes. Sometimes people will experience muscle weakness, stiff neck, confusion, tremors, numbness and sensitivity to light.
The illness usually develops between two and 15 days after being bitten by an infected mosquito.
Though rare, Dr. Arlene King is also highlighting the dangers of Lyme disease, a serious condition infecting about 100 Ontarians every year. If untreated, it can affect the heart, nervous system and joints.
To avoid getting the diseases, she recommends wearing light-coloured clothes, long-sleeved shirts, long pants, socks and shoes when outdoors and using insect repellent with DEET.
For mosquitoes:
- Avoid being outside at dusk and dawn
- Repair or replace damaged screens on windows and doors
- Regularly drain standing water around the home
For ticks:
- Tuck pants into socks
- When hiking, stay on paths and avoid overgrown brush
Click here for more information.