Durham’s health department says they have found more mosquitos in the region that have tested positive for West Nile virus.
The latest batch of mosquitos was found at a trap site in Oshawa on Thursday.
“This latest confirmation from additional traps in Oshawa now brings us to a total of four trap sites in Durham Region that have had mosquitoes test positive for West Nile virus so far this season,” said Laura Freeland, Manager, Health Protection with Durham Region Health Department.
The virus has been found at two sites in Oshawa and two sites in Pickering so far this summer.
According to the agency, the first batch of West Nile-positive mosquitos was found in late July, in north Oshawa.
In addition to the two Oshawa locations, positive mosquitoes were also confirmed at two Pickering trap sites on Aug. 13.
“As positive mosquitoes have been identified in Oshawa and Pickering, this is now evidence that West Nile virus is circulating in various areas of the community,” Freeland explained. “Therefore, it’s important for residents in all Durham Region communities to take precautions against West Nile virus, including avoiding mosquito bites and removing standing water from their properties where mosquitoes are able to breed.”
The health department sets up traps across the region and tests mosquitos in a lab each week between June and September.
For more information on how you can protect yourself from mosquito bites, click here.