CANTON— West Nile Virus has been detected in mosquitos in the village of Canton, the St. Lawrence County Public Health Department reported Wednesday, July 23. 

The Public Health Department reported that routine surveillance of mosquito populations has yielded the first positive test for West Nile Virus near the Upper and Lower Lakes in the village of Canton. 

Routine mosquito sampling is conducted at various locations throughout the county and tested at a state laboratory. 

West Nile Virus is most commonly spread through the bite of an infected mosquito. Symptoms include fever, headache, body aches, vomiting, diarrhea, or rash. 

There is no vaccine to prevent West Nile Virus, nor medicines to treat the disease it causes. 

The Public Health Department issued the following guidance to avoid mosquito bites. 

• Take precautions during their peak activity hours from dusk until

dawn. 

• Wear long pants, a long-sleeved shirt, socks, and shoes. 
• Use mosquito repellent containing DEET, Picaridin, Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus, or IR3535. 
• Do not apply repellent directly to children; instead, apply it to your own hands and then rub it onto your child. Avoid applying to your face and wash your skin and clothing thoroughly after coming indoors.

To avoid mosquito breeding near your property, the St. Lawrence County Public Health

Department advises taking the following measures: 

• Ensure your roof gutters drain correctly and clean clogged gutters in the spring and fall. 

• Remove or turn over any items that may hold stagnant water, such as tires, buckets, planters, toys, pools, birdbaths, flowerpots, or trash containers, to prevent mosquitoes from breeding.
• Clear vegetation and waste from the edge of ponds.

For more information on West Nile Virus, call the St. Lawrence County Public Health Department

at 315-386-2325 or visit the New York State Department of Health’s website here or the CDC website on WNV here .