West Nile Virus Shows Up In GTA
Posted August 17, 2007 12:00 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
Environment Canada has confirmed the summer of 2007 has been the driest in half a century. The city has received only 99.2 millimetres of rain since June 1st, the lowest total since 1959. That may be the reason why West Nile virus season has been so late in coming this year.
But while the moisture mosquitoes need to breed has been reduced, it wasn’t absent. And now medical officials are warning all Toronto residents to be extra careful after the bugs that carry the disease were found in the Eglinton and Bathurst St. area on Friday. It’s three weeks later than normal, but it doesn’t mean you can let your guard down.
“What this means in terms of risk is that so far the risk of getting West Nile virus is lower but going into the future that’s unknown,” explains Dr. Howard Shapiro, the city’s Associate Medical Officer of Health. “It all depends on the weather. If we have a hot, humid streak, the risk of West Nile could increase dramatically.”
The danger is highest in August and September.
- In Manitoba, the virus has already caused its second death of the year. Both victims were elderly men who also had other health problems.
To find out how to prevent the disease and for the signs and symptoms, click here.
