{"id":159229,"date":"2024-08-14T12:34:20","date_gmt":"2024-08-14T16:34:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/doppleronline.ca\/rwddev\/?p=159229"},"modified":"2024-08-14T12:40:58","modified_gmt":"2024-08-14T16:40:58","slug":"west-nile-virus-surveillance-testing-finds-positive-pool-in-barrie","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/doppleronline.ca\/huntsville\/west-nile-virus-surveillance-testing-finds-positive-pool-in-barrie\/","title":{"rendered":"West Nile virus surveillance testing finds positive pool in Barrie"},"content":{"rendered":"
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From the Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit (SMDHU) is reminding residents to protect themselves against mosquito bites following confirmation that mosquitoes collected from a trap in the City of Barrie tested positive for the West Nile virus (WNv).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As of Aug. 12, no confirmed human cases of the mosquito-borne viral disease have been reported in Simcoe Muskoka in 2024. However, a dead bird found in Oro-Medonte in July also tested positive for WNv. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

West Nile virus circulates between birds and some species of mosquitoes. The virus can be transmitted to humans by a mosquito bite, if the mosquito has first bitten an infected bird.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe monitor mosquito populations by setting mosquito traps and looking for larvae in selected locations,\u201d says Ramien Sereshk, program coordinator of SMDHU\u2019s Healthy Environment and Vector-Borne Diseases program. \u201cPositive test results are a reminder that we all need to continue to take appropriate measures to protect ourselves against WNv at this time of year, and the best way to do this is by protecting yourself from mosquito bites.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The risk of contracting WNv from an infected mosquito is highest in late summer. The health unit recommends the following personal protection measures:<\/p>\n\n\n\n