Peel Public Health announced Friday that they have confirmed the first probable human case of West Nile virus in a resident this year.
“While the risk of getting West Nile virus in Peel is low, this case reinforces the need for all residents to protect themselves from mosquito bites when outdoors and to remove mosquito breeding sites from their properties,” Peel Region medical officer of health Dr. Lawrence Loh said in a news release.
“Mosquitoes will remain active until the first frost.”
The news release also advised residents to remove standing water where mosquitoes carrying West Nile virus can breed.
The virus is transmitted through infected mosquitos and while most people who get the disease will not have any symptoms, around 20 per cent will get mild flu-like symptoms, the release said.
In rare cases, described as “fewer than one per cent,” someone may experience more “severe” effects, including a headache or confusion.
The news comes one day after Toronto Public Health announced that they confirmed the first human case of West Nile virus in the city this year.
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