West Nile Virus found in Toronto mosquitoes
Health officials confirmed that a resident in Markham region of Toronto has been affected by the West Nile Virus.
Dr. Barbara Yaffe, Toronto's Acting Medical Officer of Health asked Toronto residents to dispose of stagnant water to ward off the chances of breeding of mosquitoes.
“People should use insect repellent and light-coloured long-clothing for protection against mosquito bites”, she further explained.
Dr. Karim Kurji, York Region’s Medical Officer said, “Education and awareness are key to avoiding West Nile virus infection.”
“Remember to cover up or stay inside during dawn and dusk when mosquitoes are most active,” he said in a recent release.
Common symptoms include fever, muscle weakness, stiff neck, confusion and headache.
Although rare, it can also lead to encephalitis, a life threatening inflammation of tissues surrounding the brain.
Every week, the city tests batches of mosquitoes in its laboratories between June and September and treats the catch basins with larvicides to stop the growth of infected mosquitoes in the city.
The city agency currently has 43 traps across Toronto to test for West Nile Virus. Earlier in August, two mosquito traps tested positive in the Markham region of Toronto.
According to the Toronto Public Health, last year, 18 mosquito pools tested positive and there were 13 confirmed human cases.
Reporting by Asha Bajaj
Image: Culex mosquito that carries the West Nile virus
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