Mosquitoes test positive for West Nile virus in Collingwood

A mosquito acquires a blood meal from a human at the Center for Disease Control in Atlanta in 2006. (Center for Disease Control and Prevention / James Gathany)

Mosquitoes in Collingwood have tested positive for the West Nile virus.

The Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit says mosquitoes found in one of the town’s traps tested positive for the virus. It’s the first confirmed evidence of West Nile in Simcoe County this year.

“The best way for the public to protect themselves is to prevent mosquito bites and remove standing water from their properties to prevent mosquito breeding,” said Lori Holmes, the health unit’s vector-borne disease coordinator.

The health unit recommends using mosquito repellent, wearing light-coloured clothing and suggests staying indoors during dusk and dawn.

Officials say people bitten by an infected mosquito could experience fever, muscle weakness, and in very rare cases, neurological illness. However, in most cases people won’t become sick.

The health unit is now monitoring other mosquito traps across the county.