Hamilton public health officials are reminding residents to take precautions against West Nile Virus by protecting themselves from mosquito bites.

The warning comes after a pool of mosquitoes trapped in the lower east end of the city tested positive for the virus on Wednesday.

Meanwhile a Niagara Falls woman is the Niagara Region's first confirmed human case of West Nile Virus for 2015.

The woman is recovering at home, according to Niagara associate Medical Officer of Health Mustafa Hirji.

In Halton, there have been no reported human cases and no positive mosquito pools so far.

In Hamilton as in a number of municipalities, the city tries to protect against the virus by treating catch basins and stagnant waters on public lands (ditches and ponds for example) to kill mosquito larvae. The third round of catch basin treatments this summer is currently underway.

In addition, 30 traps are set weekly across the city from June to late fall, officials said.

While most people infected with West Nile virus will have no symptoms, others including older adults or those with weakened immune systems may experience fever or develop more serious complications including brain inflammation.

Symptoms of an infection typically appear two to 15 days after being bitten by an infected mosquito.

Niagara Region officials warn that although most people infected do not get sick, about 20 percent suffer flu-like symptoms and fatigue and one percent suffer serious infections of the brain such as meningitis. They suggest anyone suffering the following symptoms should see a physician: fever, severe headache, body aches, neck stiffness, confusion, weakness, tremors and sudden sensitivity to light.

Hamilton officials say the most effective defence is to use a mosquito repellent (bug spray) containing DEET.

Other ways to prevent bites include avoiding areas where mosquitoes are present or covering up with light coloured long sleeves and long pants when it mosquito areas such as wooded areas, golf courses or in the garden – especially at dawn and dusk when mosquitoes are most active.

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Also, remember to remove standing water at least weekly from your property because mosquitoes lay their eggs and hatch their larvae in standing water.

For more information, call the city's West Nile Virus line at 905-546-3575 during business hours or visit http://www.hamilton.ca/westnile