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British Columbia’s Interior Health Authority has issued a warning that mosquitoes carrying the West Nile virus are at their worst during August.

In a prepared statement, the authority stated West Nile virus was first detected in B.C. in the South Okanagan during the summer of 2009. Since then there have been five recorded cases in humans, all acquired in the Okanagan. The virus first appeared in North America in 1999 and has been spreading ever since.

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“Last year the virus was detected in birds and a horse in the East Kootenay area,” the statement read. “Several parts of Canada and the U.S. continue to report ongoing West Nile virus activity.”

The mosquito species that carries the virus is most active in August and is spread from infected crows, ravens, magpies and jays to humans through mosquito bites. Mosquitoes can also transfer the disease from birds to horses. Symptoms include fever, headache, body aches, skin rash and swollen lymph nodes.

According to HealthLink B.C. there is no cure or vaccine for West Nile virus. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control states that one in 150 West Nile virus cases become serious and sometimes fatal.

The authority made the following recommendations to manage mosquitoes.

• Ensure there is no sitting water around your home in which mosquitoes lay eggs.

• Install screens on windows and doors.

• Avoid activities at dawn or dusk.

• Wear protective clothing.

• Use mosquito repellent.