Aug. 21, 2025
The South East Health Unit (SEHU) is reminding residents to protect themselves from mosquito bites after one confirmed and one probable case of West Nile Virus (WNV) infection have been identified in the region.
WNV is an infection spread to humans usually through the bite of an infected mosquito. Four out of five of people with WNV will experience no symptoms, while others may develop several days of mild flu-like illness with fever, headache and body aches, two to 15 days after being bitten by an infected mosquito. Less than one per cent of infected persons develop more severe disease, including neurological disease that can be fatal. The risk of severe disease is higher for older people, those with immune compromise, and those with high blood pressure.
There is no specific treatment for the infection, and no vaccine. As a result, preventing mosquito bites is the main way to protect yourself and your family against WNV.
Tips for preventing mosquito bites include:
- Wearing light-coloured clothing with long-sleeves, pants and socks in areas where mosquitoes are present, especially at dusk and dawn when they are most active.
- Using insect repellent with DEET or icaridin (always follow directions for use, especially for children).
- Avoiding the outdoors at dawn and dusk.
- Removing standing water outside your home.
- Fixing tears in window and door screens.
- Covering rain barrels with screen mesh.
For more information, visit the WNV webpage.
These cases were identified in a resident in the Rideau Lakes, Westport area and a resident in the Smiths Falls area; however, birds and mosquitoes carrying West Nile Virus have been found all across the health unit’s region throughout the years. There have also been positive mosquito pools identified within the region in 2025 since monitoring started in June.
Public Health conducts regular mosquito trapping to test mosquitoes for West Nile Virus. The Canadian Wildlife Health Cooperative also monitors wildlife for evidence of West Nile Virus. Residents can report dead birds by visiting their site at cwhc-rcsf.ca/report_and_submit.php.
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Media contact:
Maureen Hyland, Communications Specialist
hyland.maureen@hpeph.ca
