Manitoulin Island Mosquito Tests Positive for West Nile Virus

A local health unit's warning about the dangers of West Nile virus as a Manitoulin Island mosquito's tested positive.

Public Health Sudbury and Districts says it has received confirmation the mosquito - detected through routine surveillance - tested positive for the virus, the health unit's first time since 2018.

It warns "late summer is typically the time of greatest risk for contracting West Nile", as "mosquitoes can carry higher levels of the virus at this time, and this is when people might not be as careful about protecting themselves from mosquito bites", urging precautions such as wearing Health Canada-approved insect repellent and light-coloured, long-sleeved clothing, ensuring there are no holes or tears in screen doors and windows of your home, and removing - or weekly changing - of standing water around your home.