Best protection from West Nile virus is avoiding mosquito bites

While the risk is low, officials with Public Health Sudbury and Districts say the best way to avoid getting the West Nile virus is to avoid mosquito bites.

Public Health Sudbury & Districts is urging residents to protect themselves from the West Nile virus that mosquitoes can carry.

A slap can turn into an itch, but the health unit said that mosquito bites can also develop into something much more serious.

“The mosquito that does spread West Nile virus is found here in Sudbury,” said Rachel O’Donnell from Public Health Sudbury & Districts.

“The best way to protect yourself from contracting West Nile virus is to prevent mosquito bites in the first place.”

Severe cases are rare

Chances of contracting the virus remain low, and in most cases, the virus’s symptoms are mild. Still, in severe cases, the virus can develop into West Nile encephalitis.

“The most recent confirmed human infection in our service area was reported in 2023,” the health unit said in a news release this week.

In 2025, two birds and one horse tested positive for the virus in the area.

“The risk of West Nile is still very real, even after being 20 years in the country here,” O’Donnell said.

Insect repellent

“Make sure you use an approved insect repellent, avoid those peak times when mosquitoes are active and make sure mosquitoes can’t get in your house.”

Bruce Doran, a scientist at Science North, said there are about 60 species of mosquitoes in Ontario.

“And you probably notice they’re really rambunctious this year,” Doran said.

“The reason for that is that we had a good snow melt and lots of rain. They tend to reproduce in these temporary bodies of water.”

A mosquito’s lifespan is short -- around four weeks -- but so is their incubation. All they need is a small amount of standing water to lay their eggs.

“Swimming pool covers, clogged gutters, small containers or unused children’s toys are all really good examples of areas where mosquitoes can breed,” O’Donnell said.

“If you dump those items and clear the water, at least on a weekly basis, you’re reducing your chance of mosquitoes breeding in your backyard.”

“Some of them will lay eggs and they will only emerge the following year, the following spring,” Doran added.

“There are some species that can take anywhere between three (and) seven days, especially the summer species. They’re very, very quick.”

They tend to emerge in full force in July and August in northern Ontario.

“But there may be reasons why certain species might appear a bit earlier, most likely due to climate change,” Doran said.

“Our season is much longer and things like that. But generally, the ones that carry West Nile virus tend to appear more in July and August.”

The health unit recommends that people wear bug repellent, long light-coloured clothing, and consider using a bug screen to reduce the risk.