A dangerous virus has been discovered in Toronto
2 cases of West Nile fever virus infection have been identified in Canada's largest city.
Two people in Toronto, Ontario, have tested positive for West Nile Virus virus. The announcement was made Friday by the city's health department.
Toronto Public Health (TPH) has not provided further details about the cases. However, earlier this month, the health authority said it was investigating a probable case of the virus.
TPH released a statement asking Toronto residents to take precautions. These include wearing light-colored clothing, long pants, and long sleeves outdoors, using insect repellent, and removing standing water where mosquitoes can breed.
TPH also noted that the number of mosquitoes carrying West Nile Virus has increased this summer. As of August 18, 47 batches of mosquito eggs infected with the virus have been found.
West Nile Virus is a dangerous and not fully understood disease carried mainly by mosquitoes. Symptoms of the disease in an infected person usually appear between 2 and 14 days after being bitten by an infected mosquito. These very symptoms include fever, headache, nausea, skin rash, vomiting and inflammation of the lymph glands.
However, Toronto Public Health reassures that about 80% of people who contract the virus don't get sick, and severe neurological diseases that West Nile Virus is particularly dangerous for, such as meningitis and encephalitis, develop in less than 1% of those infected. But that doesn't mean people shouldn't be careful.
Another possible case of West Nile Virus infection is being investigated in Halton, as reported by local health department officials.
At least 47 cases of the virus were reported in Canada last year.
