Although the risk of West Nile Virus is decreasing in Sun Country Health Region, Dr. Shauna Hudson wants to remind people that they still need to take precautions in September.
"There aren't nearly as many Culex tarsalis mosquitoes now as in late July and early August but if we have warmer weather these mosquitoes will continue biting," Hudson said.
"People who work outside and families who are out enjoying our parks and lakes still need to take precautions to avoid being bitten by mosquitoes, especially at dusk and dawn."
This includes wearing protective clothing and using an insect repellent.
Hudson also reported that the first reported cases of West Nile virus infection in Saskatchewan for 2010 are two residents of Sun Country Health Region. Both of these individuals had mild forms of the infection and are recovering.
The risk for West Nile virus infection was highest in Sun Country Health Region during the last week of July and the first two weeks of August. This was when the highest numbers of Culex tarsalis mosquitoes were caught in the region's surveillance traps and infected mosquitoes were identified.
"We may still see more people with West Nile virus infection who were exposed to West Nile during the warmer weather conditions earlier in August when the risk peaked," said Hudson.
For more information on West Nile Virus, go to the Sun Country Health Website at www.suncountry.sk.ca or the Saskatchewan Government website at www.health.gov.sk.ca/west-nile-virus. Also, check out the West Nile Virus Risk Levels at http://www.health.gov.sk.ca/west-nile-risk.
