Test-confirmed human West Nile virus case reported in Lambton County

A resident of Lambton County has tested positive for the West Nile virus for the first time locally since 2020, says Lambton Public Health.

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There was one test-confirmed human case of the virus in Lambton in 2020 and a total of seven local human cases since 2012. No human cases were reported locally in 2022 or 2021.

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The recently lab-confirmed Lambton case is “relatively mild,” said Lori Lucas, supervisor of health protection with Lambton Public Health. “The individual is recovering at home.”

West Nile virus is spread to humans through the bite of an infected mosquito.

“We’re just reminding everyone about precautions to take” and to remind them “the risk is still there until the frost hits us and stops those pesky mosquitoes,” Lucas said.

Lambton Public Health conducts mosquito monitoring for West Nile virus each summer and contracts for larvicide to be applied in stormwater catch basins around the county to reduce the mosquito population.

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Lucas said West Nile virus was found in mosquitoes this summer trapped in Wyoming, Sarnia, Corunna and Forest.

“We know that we’ve had a lot of rain through the summer, so I think most individuals who spend any time outside know that there’s definitely a lot of mosquitoes out there,” she said. “The risk isn’t over yet.”

Lambton Public health said there have been 41 human cases reported this year in Ontario.

Most people who are infected with West Nile virus only experience mild flu-like symptoms, the local public health agency has said.

Precautions include using insect repellent with DEET, particularly during peak mosquito hours at dawn and dusk. “Wear light-colored clothing, if you can,” Lucas said.

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“Cover up as much as you possibly can” and avoid being outside at dusk and dawn, she said.

“Mosquitoes still can be breeding in and around our properties,” Lucas said. “Try to drain any standing water that you might have.”

Lambton Public Health’s mosquito testing generally begins in early July and runs for 12 weeks with traps set up in a dozen locations each week. Half of the traps are in fixed locations and half move to various locations around the county, Lucas said.

Traps are left over night and any mosquitoes caught are sent for testing for the virus.

“That wrapped up around the third week in September,” Lucas said.

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