Ontario's first probable case of West Nile virus has been confirmed in a resident of the Windsor-Essex area, health officials said Friday.
The 45-year-old woman who tested positive for the virus entered hospital on Monday and remains there in stable condition for monitoring, Allen Heimann, medical officer of health for Windsor-Essex, said.
"Although today's finding is of concern, Ontario has experience dealing with West Nile virus and has taken steps to reduce the risk," Ontario's chief medical officer, Sheela Basrur, said in a statement.
Dr. Basrur said people need to play their part to prevent further infections by avoiding mosquito bites whenever possible.
As of Thursday, 111 birds and six mosquito pools in Ontario have tested positive for West Nile virus. Six of these birds – but none of the mosquito pools – were found in the Windsor-Essex area.
Ontario continues to closely monitor mosquito activity and the province's 37 public-health units have implemented mosquito control programs and are providing information about West Nile virus prevention.
Health officials are advising the public to avoid outdoor activity from dusk till dawn, wear long-sleeved, light-coloured clothing, drain standing water in such places as bird baths, pool covers and eavestroughs, and to use insect repellents containing DEET.
Last year, West Nile was diagnosed in 1,200 Canadians and 89 Ontarians. Ten Canadians – mostly from Saskatchewan – died.
