West Nile virus is back. Where it’s been found, and what you should know
Global News
West Nile has been reported in mosquitoes found in Toronto, York Region and Niagara Region so far, but doctors are cautioning human cases could come soon.
West Nile virus has returned to Canada for another season, with detections in mosquitoes in multiple regions of Ontario in the past week, including in Toronto.
Niagara Region Public Health confirmed Tuesday that West Nile virus had been detected in mosquitoes in Welland, Ont., while Toronto and York Region reported their first positive cases in the insects late last week.
No human cases of the virus have been reported in Canada as of Wednesday, but that isn’t stopping health-care professionals from urging caution.
“Nobody wants to get bit by mosquitoes, whether or not they’re causing fever,” said Dr. Isaac Bogoch, an infectious diseases specialist at Toronto General Hospital.
West Nile virus first arrived in Canada in August 2002, according to Infection Prevention and Control Canada (IPAC).
IPAC says the virus primarily infects birds and is then spread to humans by mosquitoes that have fed on the blood of those birds.
Though no human cases have been reported in Canada so far this year, Bogoch said they are typically seen in mid- to late summer and into early fall.
In those that the virus does infect, about 70 to 80 per cent may not even realize they have it, as they will have no symptoms.
