Dead crow found in Guelph tests positive for West Nile virus
No human cases in area but virus is circulating, public health says
A dead crow found in Guelph has tested positive for the West Nile virus.
Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph Public Health said Wednesday there are currently no human cases, but the presence of the virus in the crow shows it's circulating and transmission is possible.
The virus is transmitted through the bite of an infected mosquito.
"While the risk of severe illness is low, we encourage everyone to take simple precautions to prevent mosquito bites," associate medical officer Dr. Matthew Tenenbaum said in a release.
Public health says the most effective way to avoid the virus is to reduce the risk of getting mosquito bites. People can do that by:
- Wearing light-coloured clothing (including long sleeves and pants).
- Using an approved mosquito repellant.
- Repairing holes in screen doors and windows.
- Reducing breeding places for mosquitos by removing standing water from properties including draining potential reservoirs like flowerpots and kids' pools and by frequently replacing water in bird baths and other water features.
Public Health Ontario says on its website that most people infected with West Nile virus do not show symptoms.
Others may experience a fever, head and body aches, fatigue, rash or in more serious cases, meningitis (swelling of brain and/or spinal cord) or encephalitis (brain swelling).