Hamilton Confirms First West Nile Virus Case of 2024: What You Need to Know

Hamilton Public Health Services has issued an alert following the confirmation of the city's first human case of West Nile virus (WNV) for 2024. This development underscores the ongoing importance of protective measures against mosquito bites as the season progresses.

West Nile virus is a mosquito-borne illness that typically circulates during the warmer months, with activity often peaking in late summer.

While many who contract the virus experience no symptoms at all, or only mild ones, it's crucial to be aware of the risks and how to mitigate them.

According to health officials, about 80 percent of individuals infected with WNV will not show any symptoms. For the approximately 20 percent who do, symptoms are generally mild and can include fever, headache, body aches, a skin rash, and sometimes mild gastrointestinal upset.

These symptoms usually appear within two to 14 days after a mosquito bite and typically resolve on their own.

However, in less than one percent of cases, WNV can lead to severe neurological illness such as meningitis (inflammation of the membranes around the brain and spinal cord) or encephalitis (inflammation of the brain).

Serious symptoms can manifest as high fever, severe headache, stiff neck, muscle weakness, vision loss, disorientation, tremors, paralysis, seizures, or even coma. These severe forms of the disease can be fatal, and older adults or those with compromised immune systems are at a higher risk of developing such complications.

The virus is transmitted to humans through the bite of an infected mosquito, which acquires the virus by feeding on infected birds.

It's important to remember that WNV cannot be spread from person to person, through casual contact, or by handling live or dead birds.

Hamilton has seen isolated cases in previous years, with one human case reported in 2023 and two in 2022. This year's early confirmation serves as a timely reminder for residents to take proactive steps to protect themselves and their families.

Public Health recommends several key prevention strategies:

• Use insect repellent: Apply repellents containing DEET or Icaridin when outdoors, following product label instructions.
• Dress appropriately: Wear light-coloured, long-sleeved shirts and pants, especially during dawn and dusk when mosquitoes are most active.
• Eliminate standing water: Mosquitos breed in stagnant water.

  Regularly empty bird baths, clear eavestroughs, drain old tires, and ensure pool covers are free of standing water. Maintain your property to reduce potential breeding sites.

• Secure your home: Ensure window and door screens are in good repair to prevent mosquitoes from entering your living spaces.

By taking these simple precautions, Hamilton residents can significantly reduce their risk of West Nile virus infection and enjoy the remainder of the summer season safely.

Stay vigilant, stay protected.