The South East Health Unit says an American Crow in the Brockville area has tested positive for West Nile Virus.
It’s the first avian WNV reported in the region this year as SEHU continues to conduct surveillance for cases to ensure accurate tracking of it both locally and provincially.
They add that each summer they also collect mosquito samples from monitoring traps and send them in for viral testing, to understand if WNV is present in the region.
WNV, an infection found in birds and carried by mosquitoes which feed on infected birds, is spread to humans and animals through bites by infected mosquitoes.
“This serves as a reminder that there is still a risk of WNV in our region while mosquitoes remain active,” says Dr. Linna Li, Deputy Medical Officer of Health for the SEHU. “Residents are encouraged to continue to enjoy the outdoors, but take steps to protect themselves from WNV (especially at dawn and dusk when mosquitoes are most active) by wearing clothes that minimize exposed skin, using bug sprays with DEET or Icaridin, and making sure there’s no standing water where mosquitoes can breed on their property.”
You can find more information on prevention on the SEHU website.
