EON

Toronto – A mosquito has tested positive for West Nile Virus in the west end of Toronto.

Toronto Public Health says one mosquito has been tested positive for West Nile Virus. This is the first West Nile Virus positive result this year. The mosquito that tested positive was found in the Landsdowne and St. Clair area.

Its a little early for it to appear, but Toronto Associate Medical Officer of Health, Dr. Howard Shapiro says the mosquito that tested positive means West Nile Virus is back.

The risk of becoming infected starts around this time of year, and peaks in August, continuing into September. Shapiro says its hard to say when the virus will peak, but he says the overall risk of becoming infected with West Nile Virus is quite low.

He’s still recommending wearing mosquito repellent, light-coloured clothing and taking extra precautions at dawn and dusk when mosquitoes are most active.

You can’t actually tell looking at the bite or the mosquito if you have the virus, so Shapiro advises going to a doctor if you are concerned. He says really the best advice is to reduce your risk of getting bitten in the first place.

So far, no human cases of West Nile virus have been reported.