Toronto reports this year's first human case of West Nile Virus

City of Toronto Media Relations has issued the following:

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News Release:  August 21, 2015

Toronto reports this year's first human case of West Nile Virus

Toronto Public Health (TPH) has received a lab confirmation indicating that an adult resident in Toronto has tested positive for West Nile Virus. This is the first human case testing positive for West Nile Virus in Toronto for 2015. TPH continues to investigate where the virus was acquired, as the resident had potential exposures in Toronto and outside of the city. 

While the risk of being infected with West Nile Virus is low, Toronto Public Health reminds residents to take precautions, including the following:

• wear light-coloured, long-sleeved shirts, pants, socks and a hat when outdoors, 

• use mosquito repellent approved by Health Canada and follow product instructions, 

• take extra care during peak mosquito-biting time (dusk and dawn) by using mosquito repellent and wearing protective clothing, 

• remove standing water from your property, where mosquitoes can breed, and 

• make sure your home has tight-fitting screens on windows and doors.

West Nile Virus 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. If you or a family member has concerns about any symptoms, contact your healthcare provider. 

In 2013, 18 positive mosquito pools and 12 human cases were reported to Toronto Public Health. In 2014, 10 positive mosquito pools and three human cases were reported to TPH. To date, TPH has not received any reports of positive mosquito pools for 2015.

More information about West Nile Virus is available at http://www.toronto.ca/health/westnile.

This news release is also available on the City's website: http://bit.ly/1MCZ5y8

Toronto is Canada's largest city, the fourth largest in North America, and home to a diverse population of about 2.8 million people. It is a global centre for business, finance, arts and culture and is consistently ranked one of the world's most livable cities. Toronto is proud to be the Host City for the 2015 Pan American and Parapan American Games. For information on non-emergency City services and programs, Toronto residents, businesses and visitors can visit http://www.toronto.ca, call 311, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, or follow us @TorontoComms.

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Media contact: Keisha Mair, Toronto Public Health, 416-338-8020, kmair2@toronto.ca