Cooler days may be creeping in, but don’t put away the bug spray just yet. Mosquitoes are still active across Simcoe Muskoka, and the health unit says the risk of West Nile virus remains high heading into fall. This warning comes after a human case of West Nile virus was reported in Simcoe County. Health experts say five birds and one horse have tested positive for the virus. “These findings indicate West Nile virus is circulating in the community,” said the Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit in a release. There are likely more infections than reported because many people who contract the virus don’t become sick or require medical help. Mosquitoes in the fall Mosquitoes can remain active until the first hard frost, said the health unit, meaning there’s still a chance of being bitten by one carrying the virus. West Nile virus circulates between birds and certain types of mosquitoes. People can become infected when they’re bitten by a mosquito that previously fed on an infected bird. The health unit recommends continuing to use insect repellent approved for use in Canada and wearing light-coloured clothing that covers exposed skin when bugs are around. Most people infected with West Nile virus don’t usually become sick, but some can develop serious symptoms. Those can include fever, severe headache, muscle weakness, a stiff neck, confusion and sensitivity to light.
