Toronto reports human case of West Nile virus, public health says be cautious this long weekend
Posted August 4, 2023 11:12 am.
Toronto Public Health (TPH) has confirmed the first human case of West Nile virus this year, with the city’s medical officer of health urging the public to be cautious with the long weekend on tap.
A city spokesperson said the positive case was detected in an adult bitten by an infected mosquito. The risk of contracting West Nile virus remains low, but with the increased hot weather in Toronto lately, TPH said there is a higher risk of mosquitos that can transmit the virus once they are infected.
TPH is encouraging residents ahead of the August long weekend to take precautions, including wearing light-coloured clothing, long pants and long-sleeved shirts when outdoors, applying insect repellent containing DEET or icaridin, and taking extra care during peak mosquito-biting hours, dusk and dawn, by using repellent and covering up.
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“While the risk of being infected with West Nile virus remains low in Toronto, now is a good time to remind residents ahead of the long weekend of the steps they can take to avoid bites from infected mosquitos when enjoying the beautiful summer weather,” said Toronto Medical Officer of Health, Dr. Eileen de Villa.
TPH confirmed 20 batches — also known as pools — of mosquitos have been found to be positive for West Nile virus in 2023.
In 2022, TPH said 14 batches of mosquitos tested positive for the virus, with 14 laboratory-confirmed human cases. TPH performs mosquito surveillance and monitoring from mid-June until mid-September annually.
West Nile virus symptoms usually show between two and 14 days after an infected mosquito bites a person. Symptoms may include fever, headache, nausea, vomiting, body aches, skin rash and swollen lymph glands.
