Ottawa Public Health says lab testing has confirmed the first human case of West Nile Virus in the capital this year.
OPH says mosquitoes throughout the urban areas of the city have tested positive for the virus, meaning anyone could potentially be at risk.
Specifically, they say tests of northern house mosquitoes, which prefer to live and breed near humans, have been positive for WNV.
Most people who contract West Nile Virus will not experience symptoms, but about 20 per cent of people may experience flu-like symptoms.
In rare cases West Nile could cause severe illness, and you're more at risk if you are elderly or have a compromised or weakened immune system.
As of August 2, there have been 4 human cases in Ontario this year. Last year, there were 2 human cases of West Nile Virus in Ottawa and 55 province-wide.
You're reminded that you can protect yourself from mosquitoes and reduce your risk of being bitten the following ways:
For its part, Ottawa Public Health’s plan to counter West Nile Virus includes weekly surveillance and larvicidal treatments of standing water sites on City property and the application of mosquito larvicide to City-owned roadside sewer catch basins.