Mosquitos in York, Halton regions test positive for West Nile virus
Public health officials in Toronto, York, and Halton regions have confirmed the presence of West Nile virus in local mosquito populations. Residents are advised to take precautions against bites as the virus can cause severe illness in vulnerable individuals.
Why it matters
Public health surveillance is critical for preventing the spread of vector-borne diseases during peak summer months.
The batch is the first in Toronto to test positive for the virus this year, the public health unit said in a news release Friday. The virus is transmitted to people through the bite of an infected mosquito.
Every year, Toronto Public Health conducts mosquito surveillance from mid-June until mid-September.
Once a week, 22 traps are set across the city to collect mosquitoes. The mosquitoes are then submitted to a laboratory for identification and testing.
The news comes after public health units in York and Halton regions confirmed that some mosquitos in their areas tested positive for the virus. The findings mark the first positive cases for both regions this summer.
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