West Nile virus prevention under way in Windsor-Essex

It's West Nile virus season in Windsor-Essex and the local health unit is urging people to take precautions against the potential deadly virus spread by mosquitoes.

The Windsor-Essex County Health Unit has also started its annual larviciding campaign, treating mosquito breeding grounds.

• West Nile virus: What you need to know

West Nile Virus is a potentially serious illness that is transmitted through the bite of an infected mosquito.

"Each year, we have to prepare and assume that mosquitoes are carrying the West Nile virus," the health unit's associate medical officer of health, Wajid Ahmed, said in a news release. "Residents should continue to take the proper precautions to protect themselves from being bitten."

Individuals can protect themselves by:

• Using mosquito repellents that contain DEET or other approved ingredients when going outdoors.
• Avoiding outdoor activities between dusk and dawn.
• Wearing protective clothing such as long-sleeved shirts, long pants, and a hat when outdoors -- light-coloured clothing is best as mosquitoes are most attracted to dark colours.
• Make sure that door and window screens fit securely and are free of holes.

While part of the West Nile virus strategy involves larviciding in areas where the virus is found, individuals can also make a difference by removing any hazards that could become a reservoir for standing water. Items include old tires, upturned wheelbarrows and unused flower pots.

Reducing pools of standing water reduces the places mosquitoes can breed.

Canada had its first confirmed case of West Nile virus in 2002.

Between 2007 and 2011, an average of six cases of the virus were reported per year in Ontario.