First Human Case of West Nile Virus in Waterloo Region

The first human case of West Nile Virus in Waterloo Region in 2015 has been identified. The case is an adult who is recovering. The first case is confirmation that West Nile Virus activity has begun in the Region and reinforces the need to take precautions.

Public Health urges residents to take the following precautions:

Make Personal Protection a Priority

• Wear light coloured, tightly woven long sleeved shirts, pants, socks and a hat. 
• Minimize time spent outdoors between dusk and dawn.
• Apply a repellant containing DEET. Follow manufacturer’s instructions and do not use a concentration higher than needed for the time you plan to spend outdoors. Eucalyptus plant compounds and soybean oil are other alternatives. 
• The use of DEET on a child under the age of six months is not recommended. 
• Make sure that door and window screens fit tightly and have no holes that would allow mosquitoes to enter.

Eliminate Mosquito Breeding Grounds

• Eliminate standing water on your property to reduce places where mosquitoes can breed including water in bird baths, eaves troughs, flower pot saucers.
• Don’t allow outdoor objects to collect water.
• Cover rain barrels with a fine mesh screen.
• Change water in birdbaths and livestock watering tanks at least once a week. 
• Don’t allow water to collect in roadside ditches or in low lying areas on your property.
• Clean up brush and debris that could act as mosquito breeding areas.

For more information about West Nile Virus, call 519-575-4400 or visit: www.regionofwaterloo.ca/westnilevirus

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Media contact: Kirsten Keil-Mehlenbacher, Coordinator, Health Communications, 519-575-4400 x2244; kkeil-mehlenbacher@regionofwaterloo.ca