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Summer revellers are reminded to be wary of West Nile Virus

July 30, 2026   ·   0 Comments

By Brian Lockhart

It’s summer and a lot of people are spending time in the great outdoors near lakes and hiking along forest trails.

The Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit is urging residents to take precautions and avoid getting West Nile Virus.

West Nile Virus is a mosquito-borne virus spread to people by the bite of an infected mosquito. Mosquitoes become infected with the virus after they bit an infected bird.

The virus can cause illness, and in rare cases, meningitis, encephalitis (inflammation of the brain), and acute flaccid paralysis (loss of muscle function).

Many people infected with the virus will have mild or no symptoms.

Although West Nile Virus is one of the most common mosquito-borne illnesses in Canada, the risk of illness is relatively low provincially and locally.

It can be transmitted by the bite of an infected mosquito at any time with the greatest risk during summer and early fall.

Mosquitoes are mostly active at dawn and dusk and the risk of being bitten is greatest at those times of day.

Most people who are bitten by an infected mosquito do not develop symptoms. Those who do become ill usually experience mild symptoms such as fever, headaches, body aches, rash, nausea, or vomiting.

These flu-like symptoms often develop around three to 14 days after a bite from an infected mosquito and may last for several days.

In extremely rare cases, the virus can cause severe illness involving the central nervous system.

There is no vaccine or antiviral treatment available for West Nile Virus.

The best prevention against West Nile Virus is taking steps to prevent mosquito bites.

When you are in areas that may have mosquitoes, wear light-coloured clothing as mosquitoes are attracted to dark colours. Cover exposed skin.

Use insect repellent according to the manufacturer’s directions.

You can reduce mosquito breeding sites near your home if you live in a rural area.

A mosquito breeding site is any container or area that contains stagnant water.

By preventing and removing breeding sites on your property, your risk of being bitten by a mosquito is reduced. 

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