West Nile Virus detected in mosquitoes in St. Catharines, Ont., warns Niagara public health – CBC

Public Health hasn’t detected any human cases so far this year

Jul 24, 2024

West Nile virus has been found in mosquitoes in Niagara Region for the first time this year, according to the local public health agency.

The mosquitoes were found in St. Catharines, Ont., said Niagara Region Public Health said in a media release on Monday.

It noted there have been no human West Nile cases identified in Niagara so far this year.

Gillian Dilts, who manages public health’s vector-borne and zoonotic disease program, said the infected mosquito was found in one of the traps the department puts out in each of the 12 municipalities it services as part of its West Nile virus surveillance program.

It’s working with a third-party company to kill mosquito larva in catch basins on roadsides, Dilts said. Mosquitos typically breed in standing water.

Residents are encouraged to help reduce potential breeding sites by limiting the amount of standing water on their properties, including covering rain barrels with fine mesh.

Read more: https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/hamilton/west-nile-mosquitos-niagara-1.7271353