Public Health Grey Bruce says a bird that was found in the area tested positive for West Nile Virus.
The Health Unit says it has received confirmation that a Cooper’s hawk, found dead in Lion’s Head and submitted for testing in late July, has tested positive.
They say this is the first bird to test positive for West Nile Virus in Grey-Bruce this year.
Public Health says as of August 6th, no human cases of the mosquito-borne viral disease have been reported in Ontario in 2022.
They say West Nile Virus circulates between birds and some species of mosquitoes, including Culex pipiens and Culex restuans. The virus can be transmitted to humans by a mosquito bite if the mosquito has first bitten an infected bird.
According to the Health Unit, the risk of contracting West Nile Virus from an infected mosquito is usually highest in late summer; towards the end of the mosquito season. They say the best way to prevent it is to protect yourself from mosquito bites by:
Using insect repellant containing DEET or Icaridin;
Wearing light-coloured long pants and long sleeves, socks and a hat when outdoors;
Reducing mosquito habitats near the home by eliminating standing water in flowerpots, eavestroughs, etc.; and
Ensuring door and window screens fit securely and are free of holes.
They say most people infected with West Nile Virus do not experience any symptoms. Others see symptoms two
to 15 days after being bitten by an infected mosquito.
Symptoms are usually mild and can include a fever and headache; however, serious symptoms can occur, including stiff neck and high fever as well as confusion, tremors and sudden sensitivity to light.
Public Health sets mosquito traps monthly in each Grey-Bruce municipality from May to September as part of its vector surveillance program. The traps are then shipped to a laboratory for species identification and viral testing on appropriate species. The Health Unit says no mosquitoes have tested positive for West Nile Virus in Grey-Bruce so far this year.
As of August 6th, 2022, Public Health Ontario is reporting 14 mosquito pools have tested positive for West Nile Virus in the province so far this year.
They add, anyone with concerns about a dead bird can contact the Canadian Wildlife Health Co-operative at 1-866-673-4781.
