West Nile warning issued in southeastern Saskatchewan

REGINA – Health officials in southeastern Saskatchewan say mosquitoes have tested positive for West Nile virus.

Medical health officer Dr. Lanre Medu warns that the risk of West Nile virus infection is increasing in the Sun Country Health Region.

He says people should take precautions to avoid being bitten, such as wearing mosquito repellent, draining standing water, and avoiding the outdoors between dusk and dawn.

People who work outside, especially at dusk and dawn, and those who are camping over the next few weeks are at higher risk of being bitten.

The positive pool comes a few weeks earlier than in 2016, and officials say there may be an increase in the number of pools, increases in infection rates and possible human infections.