The Windsor-Essex County Health Unit is beginning mosquito surveillance and larviciding as part of its West Nile virus protection campaign.
Pestalto Environmental Services was hired by the health unit to monitor standing water, catch basins and waterways in all eight local municipalities.
"The catch basins are generally sampled randomly so we'll sample some in each community. The standing water sites we basically go from a list of sites we've visited in the past," says Kevin Taylor with Pestalto Environmental.
Associate Medical Officer of Health Dr. Wajid Ahmed says it's part of their mandate to protect citizens from the virus.
"Most of the people who get bit by an infected mosquito sometimes they don't even develop symptoms but for some who do develop symptoms, some of the symptoms are very severe," says Ahmed.
Severe symptoms include inflammation of the brain, and possible paralysis while minor symptoms are fever, rash and body aches. There was only one confirmed human case of the West Nile virus found last year.
Residents are asked to remove any standing water where mosquitos can breed from their properties to help protect themselves and neighbours. Individuals can also protect themselves by using mosquito repellents, avoiding outdoor activities between dusk and dawn and wearing protective clothing.
The health unit runs the surveillance program from May until September. It costs $128,000, which is paid for by the province and municipalities.