The wet weather in 2017 has made for ideal conditions for mosquitoes, and three mosquito traps in The Regional Municipality of York have tested positive for West Nile virus (WNV).

The traps were located in Aurora near Yonge Street and Murray Drive, Markham near McCowan Road and Hwy. 7, and Whitchurch-Stouffville close to Main Street and Tenth Line.

“Ongoing surveillance tells us West Nile virus is present in the community and protection against mosquitos remains important,” Dr. Karim Kurji, York Region’s Medical Officer of Health, said. “By taking simple precautions, residents can reduce the risk of West Nile virus and exposure to mosquitos.”

According to the United States Centres for Disease Control and Prevention website, 70 to 80 per cent of people who contract West Nile virus have no symptoms. About one in five people infected with West Nile virus develop a fever with other symptoms such as headache, body aches, joint pains, vomiting, diarrhea, or rash, and most of these people fully recover. Fewer than one per cent of people infected develop a serious neurological illness such as encephalitis or meningitis.