Sudbury health unit warns of human West Nile case in Sudbury

Health officials say a Tampa Bay area man has been diagnosed with West Nile virus.

Washington County Health Department has confirmed a mosquito has tested positive for West Nile virus.

West Nile is transmitted through the bite of a mosquito that has picked up the virus by feeding on an infected bird, according to the release.

A total of 16 probable and confirmed human WNv cases have been reported to date in 2015 in Ontario.

The Health Department prepared for the mosquito season by evaluating and treating with larvicide all catch basins on county and municipal roads throughout Westchester.

The virus usually results in a mild illness known as West Nile fever, which can cause fever, headache, body aches, swollen lymph glands, or a rash.

One case has been reported in Suffolk County so far this year.

Most people do not develop symptoms and less than 1 percent of those infected develop a serious neurologic illness.

Board of Health Director Frank Giacalone said he has been notified that Everett, Medford, Wakefield, Arlington, Boston, Cambridge, Chelsea, Malden and Melrose have all tested positive for the virus this year. There were no deaths previous year in either county.

Countywide, 23 people have been infected with WNV.

Wear light-coloured, long-sleeved shirts; long trousers; shoes and socks when outside, especially from dusk to dawn, when mosquitoes are most active. This is because mosquitoes carry high levels of virus at a time when people often relax their precautions.

Apply Insect Repellent when Outdoors: Use a repellent with DEET (N, N-diethyl-m-toluamide), permethrin, picaridin (KBR 3023), oil of lemon eucalyptus [p-methane 3, 8-diol (PMD)] or IR3535 according to the instructions on the product label. Always fix broken screens.

Remove standing water from around your home where mosquitoes could lay their eggs.