An adult resident of Toronto has tested positive for West Nile virus and has become the first confirmed human case in the city for 2016, health officials announced Thursday.
Toronto Public Health say two more cases have also been reported but tests are still ongoing.
“The year is not over in terms of the risk to people,” said Dr. Howard Shapiro, Toronto’s acting medical officer of health.
“So depending on the weather in the next couple of weeks, we could see many more positive mosquitoes.”
READ MORE: First human case of West Nile virus in Ontario this year identified
The first confirmed human case of the virus in Ontario was identified last month, after a person in Markham tested positive.
The virus had previously been identified in mosquitoes in Ottawa and Toronto earlier this month, after trapping and testing had confirmed its presence in mosquito pools.
There were 18 positive mosquito pools and 13 confirmed human cases in Toronto last year and 26 in Ontario.
READ MORE: Toronto mosquito pools test positive for West Nile Virus
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.
West Nile virus symptoms usually develop between two and 15 days after a person is bitten by an infected mosquito.
Symptoms may include fever, muscle weakness, stiff neck, confusion, severe headaches and a sudden sensitivity to light.
In rare cases, the virus can cause serious neurological illness including encephalitis, or inflammation of the brain.
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