Not only are mosquitoes a nuisance for those trying to enjoy the great outdoors in Alberta in the summer, but some of them can carry West Nile virus.
Primary Care Alberta notes that the threat of West Nile virus remains low in the province, but it is an infection that can lead to flu-like symptoms – and in rare cases brain and spinal cord inflammation that can be hard to recover from.
With the mosquito population in the province booming because of all of the recent rain, PCA officials encourage taking precautions to avoid being bit.
Among the tips they are providing are staying indoors at dawn and dusk when the mosquitoes are most active, wearing a hat along with long-sleeved light-coloured shirts and pants, as well as using a Heath Canada-approved insect repellent and following the product label instructions. Do not use insect repellent with DEET on infants under six months of age.
According to Primary Care Alberta, there is no specific treatment for West Nile virus infection. More ways to stay safe can be found online at albertahealthservices.ca.
