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The cold, wet weather of early summer has led to an influx of mosquitoes in Alberta.
The increase in the number of annoying insects accompanies an increased risk of diseases caused by mosquitoes, such as West Nile virus.
Alberta Health Services urges Albertans to take precautions when they spend time outside of this summer.
Dr. Mohammed Mosli, Medical Officer of Health in the Central Zone, explains that mosquito exposure carries a risk of contracting the virus.
"Some mosquitoes carry West Nile virus, so it's important to avoid bites at all," Mosli said in a press release.
Heavy rain followed by periods of warm weather is the ideal incubator for growth and multiplication of pests.
Many species of insects lay their eggs in water plans, such as lakes or puddles of water. Each mosquito species chooses a body of water according to the "ecological adaptations".
This is because some mosquitoes are able to breed in different places, which they are more likely to detect pathogens and transmit them to their host.
Humidity, temperature, and precipitation create favorable conditions, known as the ability to transmit, to allow mosquitoes to transmit disease to their host.
From now until the end of August, Albertans are more likely to contract West Nile.
Alberta Health Services recommend that residents protect themselves during the summer and reduce the risk of contracting West Nile.
AHS advice includes:
• Wear a light-colored long-sleeved shirt, trousers and a hat.
• Use an approved insect repellent (for example, products containing DEET or Icaridin).
• Consider staying indoors at dawn and dusk, when mosquitoes are most active.
"These steps can make it more difficult to search for mosquitoes. And remember: if mosquitoes can not find you, they can not bite you, "said Dr. Mosli.
Humans can develop a West Nile non-neurological syndrome (formerly known as West Nile fever) or the West Nile's more severe neurological syndrome if bitten by a mosquito carrying the virus.
Symptoms of non-neurological syndrome may include fever, chills, nausea, vomiting, fatigue, rash, swollen glands, and headache.
The symptoms of the neurological syndrome may be more severe: tremors, drowsiness, confusion, swallowing problems, high fever, loss of consciousness, paralysis and even death.
According to Health Canada, no mosquito, bird or horse has been tested positive for the virus, unlike an Ontario bird.
According to the Government of Alberta West Nile Surveillance Resource, two cases of West Nile virus, presented as non-neurological, have been discovered in Alberta this year. Both cases were contracted during trips abroad.
The AHS indicates that 532 cases of West Nile virus were confirmed in Alberta between 2003 and 2018. They continued to say that a high percentage of people infected with the virus had contracted it in the province and was not related to a trip.
In Alberta, in 2018, 50 cases of the virus were recorded, three of which came from the central area.
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