AHS warns Calgarians about the risk of West Nile Virus
Posted Jul 11, 2018 1:36 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
Don’t forget about the risk of West Nile Virus.
That’s the message from Alberta Health Services as the warm weather brings out more mosquitoes.
Medical Officer of Health for the Calgary Zone, Dr Jason Cabaj, tells 660 News you should take precautions.
“And doing that either through application of insect repellent with DEET, although important to remember that DEET shouldn’t be used for children under 6 months of age.” Cabaj explains, “Long sleeve shirt and pants and hat when you are in an area where there are a number of mosquitoes.”
Between 2003 and last year, Alberta recorded 514 cases of West Nile — although there’s been only a handful over the past couple years.
Cabaj says it’s hard to predict how bad a season will be.
Some people who contract West Nile develop neurological syndrome, which can be deadly.
