There are increased concerns of West Nile virus spreading to northern parts of Peterborough County.
This comes after the first reported human case of the virus in the city of Peterborough of 2017. Peterborough Public Health Manager of Environmental Health Atul Jain says, because of it, there is the possibility the virus will spread.
Jain says you can protect yourself from mosquitoes by wearing long-sleeved shirts, jackets and long pants, tucking in your socks, and putting on insect repellant, especially between dusk and dawn. You are also being encouraged to clean up your yard by getting rid of standing water, trimming bushes and shrubs, mowing your lawn, and turning your compost pile regularly.
Jain also says people should be more aware of West Nile virus after the first reported human case since 2012.
Peterborough Public Health says about 20 per cent of infected people will show symptoms like fevers, head and body aches, skin rashes, swollen lymph nodes, nausea, vomiting and eye pain two to 14 days after being bitten. Jain says people can’t transmit the virus to other people.
The Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge District Health Unit has also reported a human case of the virus, although it would not specify where. Mosquitoes carrying the virus have also been reported in Belleville and in Renfrew County, although no human cases have been reported.