West Nile virus is the suspected cause of death of a 71-year-old Windsor area man.

The Windsor Essex County Health Unit said the death "has now been attributed to West Nile virus" but said it remains under investigation.

"Preliminary results suggest that a 71-year-old man’s death was attributed to West Nile virus," the health unit stated in a media release.

Chief medical officer Dr. Alan Heimann said the man began showing symptoms of West Nile virus in August and was admitted to hospital Sept. 6

"In those who are older, deaths do occur. It’s rare, but it certainly does occur," Heimann said.

The last local death attributed to West Nile virus occurred in 2003.

The health unit said the recent death emphasizes the need to take precautions against the mosquitoes, which transmit the virus, even as the season comes to an end.

Since the announcement of the first confirmed human case of West Nile Virus on July 31, the health unit has investigated a total of 22 cases.

The age range for the 22 cases is between 25 and 82 years of age, with 55 per cent of them women and 45 per cent men.

The virus has hospitalized eight people in Windsor-Essex. One remains in hospital.

"That individual is recovering," Heimann said.

The health unit said six of the 22 cases were contracted during travel outside of Windsor-Essex.

Earlier this year, the health said the virus was found in 25 mosquito test pools in Windsor, Amherstburg, Essex and Kingsville.

"This wide distribution of positive pools indicates that the virus is prevalent throughout Windsor-Essex," the unit said in a media release.

West Nile virus is a viral infection which is spread by mosquitoes. The West Nile virus causes a spectrum of illness, which can range from no symptoms at all to flu-like symptoms to inflammation of the brain.

Area residents are encouraged to:

  • Use insect repellents that contain DEET or other approved ingredients when going outdoors.
  • Make sure that door and window screens fit securely and are free of holes.
  • Limit the time you spend outdoors at dawn and dusk, when mosquitoes are most active.
  • Wear long-sleeved shirts, long pants, and a hat when outdoors. Light-coloured clothing is best as mosquitoes tend to be attracted to dark colours.
  • Cut back weeds and tall grass which provide a resting place for mosquitoes.