York Region Public Health has confirmed that two mosquito traps in Markham have detected the presence of the West Nile virus, marking the first cases in the region this summer.
Monitoring for West Nile activity involves the strategic placement of mosquito traps for testing, a method utilized by the public health unit.
These specific traps were situated in the Warden Avenue and Highway 7 East area, as well as the Kennedy Road and 16th Avenue area.
The West Nile virus is a mosquito-borne infection that can be transmitted through mosquito bites. Symptoms typically manifest between two to 15 days post-bite and may include fever, headache, body aches, a mild rash, and swollen lymph glands.
In light of this development, York Region Public Health has offered useful tips to prevent mosquito bites.