first adult human case of west nile virus reported in city: toronto public health
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toronto public health is reminding residents how to protect themselves after the city’s first human case of west nile virus in an adult has been reported this year.
the infection is transmitted to people through the bite of an infected mosquito.
tph says residents can help protect themselves from west nile virus by wearing light-coloured, long-sleeved shirts and pants when outdoors, applying a health canada-approved insect repellent and following the manufacturer’s instructions; taking extra care during peak mosquito-biting time (dusk and dawn) by using insect repellent and wearing protective clothing; removing standing water from one’s property where mosquitoes can breed; ensuring screens are tight-fitting on windows and doors.
toronto public health conducts surveillance for west nile virus in mosquitos from mid-june to mid-september.
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tph says symptoms of west nile virus usually develop between two and 14 days after a person is bitten by an infected mosquito and can include fever, headache, nausea, vomiting, body aches, skin rash, swollen lymph glands and stiff neck.
most people with west nile virus recover but others can develop serious illness.
seniors, immunocompromised at greater risk
older individuals and people with compromised immune systems are at higher risk of severe illness.
the majority of individuals will recover completely, but a few may go on to develop severe illness affecting the central nervous system, including encephalitis (inflammation of the brain) or meningitis (inflammation of the membranes that surround the brain and spinal cord).
more information about west nile virus and ways to reduce the risk of infection is available on the city’s webpage at www.toronto.ca/west-nile-virus.
previously, york region and toronto both recorded first mosquitoes testing positive for west nile virus in mid-july.
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that was preceded by halton region reporting its first batch of mosquitoes testing positive for west nile on july 2.
halton region said urban areas are more likely to have mosquitoes that carry west nile virus as the types of mosquitoes that transmit it to humans most commonly breed in urban areas such as bird baths, plant pots, old toys and tires that hold water.
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