It's that time of the year again. The time for summer fun like camping, sunbathing and swatting away pesky mosquitos looking for a quick meal.

Sometimes, the bites are just mildly annoying with a slight itch. However, Alberta Health Services(AHS) would like to remind Albertans of the possibility of contracting a potential disease.

Doctor Christine Kennedy, Medical Officer of Health for Calgary Zone AHS, said that West Nile virus is the major concern in Alberta.

"It was formally known as West Nile Fever and it's something people have heard about over the last many years as being a risk for contracting it after a mosquito bite here in Alberta and Canada."

Kennedy went on to say that so far, there are no cases of West Nile virus in Alberta this year. However, despite the small risk, outdoor goers should still be cautious.

"With summer here, AHS encourages Albertans to take precautions necessary to protect themselves against West Nile virus infections. This can be everything that they're doing to not be bitten by mosquitos, those pesky things," said Kennedy.

Kennedy said simply trying to avoid being bitten is the best way to avoid contracting the virus. Wearing long sleeves, light colours, pants instead of shorts, a hat, using insect repellant and staying indoors during dawn and dusk when mosquitos are most active can lessen the risk of exposure.

"Remember, if mosquitos can't find you, they can't bite you."

Despite having no cases this year so far, last year there were 50 confirmed cases of West Nile virus in Alberta. Of the 50 cases, 37 were non-neurological and didn't affect the nervous system and 5 had no symptoms whatsoever. However, 8 cases had neurological symptoms.

While non-neurological symptoms of West Nile mainly just include flu-like symptoms, Kennedy said the neurological cases can be much more serious.

"The symptoms can be much more severe. Tremors, drowsiness, confusion, swallowing problems, high fever, unconsciousness, paralysis and sometimes even death."

Anyone experiencing any of the listed symptoms should contact a health care professional.

For more information on avoiding exposure, visit here.

 

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