Mosquitoes in Mississauga have tested positive for West Nile Virus.

From June until Sept. Peel Public Health monitors 33 traps, and the insects carrying the virus were collected from one of these traps located near Dixie Rd. and Lakeshore Rd. E, says a news release from the Region of Peel.

This is the first collection of mosquitoes to test positive this year.

The wet weather this spring created breeding grounds for the insects and the heat in the summer increases mosquito activity, so Peel Public Health is encouraging people to use a bug spray that contains DEET, wear light coloured clothing, cover exposed skin, and take precautions at dawn and dusk when more mosquitoes are out.

People can help by getting rid of sitting water on their property which could act as a breeding ground. Sitting water on public property can also be reported on the Peel region website.

“With this recent confirmation of West Nile activity, we are increasing our efforts in south Mississauga and the surrounding area by looking for breeding sites and re-treating catch basins with larvicide,” said Paul Callanan, Director of Health Protection in Peel, in the news release.

West Nile Virus is an illness transmitted to humans by a bite from an infected mosquito and it is not contagious between humans, says the Peel region website. It warns that those who spend time outdoors at dawn and dusk - when there is greatest exposure to the insects - are at risk of being bitten. There is no specific treatment for West Nile, nor is there a cure, says the website.

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