The number of reported human cases of the West Nile virus in Quebec is now up to four.
That's the most human cases than the province has seen in the last six years.
In all confirmed cases, the infection was found when the patients donated blood. They were all reported in August.
Dr. Horacio Arruda of the province’s public health department said the recent cases shouldn't be cause for panic.
This is the time of year when human cases typically start to emerge.
"It just reminds us that this disease exists it can exist again so be careful, especially if you are in the risk groups," he said.
Authorities say all the cases are in southwestern Quebec, including the greater Montreal area.
Humans become infected with West Nile when they are bitten by a disease-carrying mosquito.
While many infected people suffer only mild, flu-like symptoms, people with weakened immune systems are at greater risk for developing more serious health effects like meningitis and encephalitis.
According to the Public Health Agency of Canada, the first reported human cases of West Nile in this country were in 2002.
The following year, there were 1,400 human cases reported.
The annual numbers have dropped significantly since that time.
with files from Canadian Press Accessibility Links
No comments:
Post a Comment