Waterloo Region reports its first West Nile cases for 2024 [Video]

The Region of Waterloo is reporting the year’s first confirmed cases of the West Nile virus.

It’s also the first human infections in the area since 2018.

According to public health, the two recent cases were both acquired locally from infected mosquitos.

“The hot summer temperatures and increased levels of rain over the last few months have created the favourable conditions for West Nile virus in our region and other areas across the province,” said Dr. Rabia Bana, the region’s associate medical officer of health, in a media release.

While most people don’t experience symptoms with West Nile, those that do could see the effects two to 15 days following a bite. Public health said the symptoms may include: mild fever, headache, muscle aches, stiff neck, swollen glands and skin rash.

“It rarely can cause a more severe clinical syndrome that has pretty profound neurologic manifestations. Fortunately, that’s rare, but …