Residents are reminded to protect themselves from mosquito bites and remove standing water from private property to prevent mosquito breeding. The City of Hamilton continuously assesses the risk for human disease as part of a comprehensive West Nile virus surveillance and prevention program. The City recently completed a second round of larvicidal treatments in the city’s catch basins, in addition to ongoing surface water treatment on public land. While about four out of five people infected with West Nile virus will have no symptoms, others, including older adults or those with weakened immune systems may develop West Nile fever (~20%) or may develop more severe disease, including inflammation of the brain or encephalitis (~1 percent); For any infection, if symptoms occur, they appear two to 14 days after being bitten by an infected mosquito. Protect yourself and your family from mosquitoes:
Avoid mosquito bites. Use a mosquito repellent (bug spray) containing DEET or Icaridin. Avoid areas where mosquitoes are known to be present or cover up by wearing light-colored long sleeves and long pants when in mosquito areas such as wooded areas, on the golf course, or in the garden, especially at dawn and dusk when mosquitoes are most active. Reduce mosquito breeding sites by removing standing water at least weekly from your property.
“During the warmer months it is important to take precautions to avoid insect-borne diseases, including West Nile virus and Lyme disease. Using simple precautions, such as using insect repellent containing DEET or Icaridin, and wearing loose, light-colored clothing will reduce your risk while enjoying the outdoors.” – Dr. Bart Harvey, Associate Medical Officer of Health
