The Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge Health Unit encouraging the use of DEET after mosquitoes in Durham tested positive for the West Nile Virus.
Last week mosquitoes in Whitby tested positive for the virus, and other mosquito traps in Durham were taken to labs to learn if there is West Nile elsewhere. Symptoms of being bitten by a West Nile mosquito include rash, fever, swollen lymph glands, and head or body aches. In some extreme cases, WNV can cause loss of consciousness, muscle weakness and even paralysis.
The health unit says that now is the prime season for adult mosquitoes to be biting. HKPR suggests covering up when you go outside or using bug spray with DEET in it to limit the odds of contracting and or spreading West Nile.