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Toronto mosquito pools test positive for West Nile Virus

Toronto has confirmed its first cases of the West Nile Virus for 2016 following positive tests from two mosquito pools. Jeff Topping/Getty Images

Toronto has confirmed its first cases of the West Nile Virus for 2016 following positive tests from two mosquito pools, according to Toronto Public Health.

From June to September, 43 mosquito traps are set up across the city to test for the virus weekly. No human cases have been detected so far.

READ MORE: First confirmed case of Zika virus discovered in Ontario

TPH said city-owned and maintained catch basins and other surface water sites are treated with larvicide to reduce mosquito breeding.

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There were 18 positive mosquito pools and 13 confirmed human cases in 2015.

While the risk of being infected with West Nile Virus is low, health officials are reminding residents to take precautions by wearing long-sleeve clothing, using repellent and removing standing water from your property where mosquitoes can breed.

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READ MORE: West Nile infected mosquitoes thrive in heat

West Nile symptoms usually develop between two and 15 days after a person is bitten by an infected mosquito.

Symptoms include fever, headache, nausea, vomiting, body ache, skin rash and swollen glands.

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