The season’s first West Nile virus positive mosquitoes have been identified in Peel Region. The mosquitoes were collected from a trap in Brampton near the intersection of North Park Drive and Torbram Road.
Peel Public Health monitors West Nile virus activity through 33 mosquito traps across Mississauga, Brampton and Caledon. Mosquitoes from the traps are collected and tested weekly from mid-June to September. Public Health staff also survey public areas for stagnant water that may serve as mosquito breeding sites and treat identified sites with larvicide.
West Nile virus is a mosquito-borne disease passed to humans via the bite of an infected mosquito. Peel Public Health has not confirmed any human cases of West Nile virus to date this year.
Although the risk of acquiring West Nile virus infection is low, Peel Public Health (PPH) tells residents that there are simple things that they can do to protect against mosquito bites like wearing light-coloured, tightly woven, loose-fitting clothing such as long pants, a long-sleeved shirt, shoes, and socks to protect exposed skin.
PPH also recommends applying a Health Canada approved insect repellent containing an ingredient effective against mosquitoes (such as DEET or icaridin) to exposed skin and clothing, avoiding shaded or wooded areas with high mosquito populations and taking extra precautions during dusk and dawn, when mosquitoes are most active.
Peel residents can also help prevent mosquito bites by removing or draining items on their property that hold stagnant water. Water that is stagnant for more than seven days is an ideal breeding site for mosquitoes. Report stagnant water sites to Peel Public Health at 905-799-7700 (toll-free at 905-584-2216 in Caledon) or online.
