Dear partner in health. Ottawa Public Health (OPH) welcomes your support in sharing this message with your community and networks.
Ottawa Public Health (OPH) is urging residents to protect themselves against mosquito bites to reduce the risk from eastern equine encephalitis virus (EEEV) and West Nile virus (WNV). OPH has received laboratory confirmation that an Ottawa resident who died of a viral encephalitis in August 2024 tested positive for eastern equine encephalitis virus infection.
Preventing mosquito bites is the best way to protect yourself from EEEV and WNV. Mosquitoes remain active in both urban and rural areas at this time of year and will continue to pose a risk until heavy frosts later this fall. Residents can take the following steps to protect themselves from mosquito bites:
- Applying a Health Canada-approved mosquito repellent containing DEET or icaridin to exposed skin and clothing (avoid applying DEET to synthetic fabrics)
- Protecting yourself when mosquitoes are active, especially between dusk and dawn and any time you are near shady hedges or bushy or wooded areas
- Wearing light-coloured, tightly woven, loose-fitting clothing, such as long pants, a long-sleeved shirt, shoes and socks, to protect exposed skin
- Making sure all windows and doors in your home have screens that are in good condition
For more information about EEEV and WNV, please visit our website.
A PSA was issued today:
- ENG: Local human case of eastern equine encephalitis virus is confirmed | City of Ottawa
- FR: Un cas local chez l’humain d’infection par le virus de l’encéphalite équine de l’Est est confirmé | Ville d’Ottawa
The message has also been shared on OPH social media channels:
X (Twitter)
- EN: https://x.com/OttawaHealth/status/1834232277267611935
- FR: https://x.com/OttawaSante/status/1834232529844417019
- EN: https://www.facebook.com/ottawahealth/posts/980699120762501
- FR: https://www.facebook.com/ottawasante/posts/933727222126407
Please feel free to contact us at OPHPartnerRelations@Ottawa.ca should you have any questions.
Sincerely,
The OPH team
