London-area mosquitoes test positive for West Nile virus

The London region's health unit on Tuesday warnedresidents to be wary of West Nile virus after three mosquito traps in the city and Middlesex Countytested positive.

Health officials say the findings are not alarming, but show the virus which can be carried by mosquitoes is back again this year.

"Finding threeis nothing new," said Jeremy Hogeveen, vector-borne disease co-ordinatorfor the Middlesex-London Health Unit (MLHU)."By no means are wetrying to scare anybody. We want everyone to go out and enjoy the weather, but we alsowant people to[be]aware that the virus is present."

Eighty per cent of people who become infected with West Nile virus do not get sick, Hogeveen said.More than 19 per cent experience flu-like symptoms and fewer than one per cent become seriously sick.

To monitor the virus, the health unit sets up and regularly tests up to 25 traps, with the regimen starting at the beginning of May and lasting for roughly 17 weeks, he added. That monitoring both helps in keeping health officials informedand keeping the public informed so they can take action to better protect themselves if desired.

Hogeveen recommendstaking the following precautions toreduce the risk of contracting the virus:

• Ensuringstanding water on your property is cleared, including garbage cans, wheelbarrows and flower pots.
• Regularly rotatingwater in standing bird baths.
• Covering openings in rain barrels.
• Properly closingand opening backyard swimming pools.
• Wearing long sleeves, pants, and light colours.
• Using mosquito repellent with DEET.

The MLHUregularly takes stepsto control the local mosquito population to reduce the likelihood of diseases associated with the insects.