Mosquitoes carrying West Nile virus discovered near Pearson airport, prompting residents of Mississauga to take certain precautions
Headline: West Nile Virus Detected in Mosquitoes in Toronto, Mississauga, Vaughan, and Surrounding Areas, but No Human Cases Reported Yet in 2025
In recent developments, West Nile virus (WNV) has been detected in mosquitoes in several regions of Ontario, including Toronto, Mississauga, Vaughan, York Region, and Niagara Region. However, as of late July 2025, no human cases have been reported in these areas this year.
The city of Mississauga has issued a news release regarding the presence of West Nile virus, urging residents to take immediate steps to protect themselves and their property from infected insects. Specifically, infected mosquitoes have been found near Airport Road and Derry Road East in Mississauga. Similarly, Toronto, York Region (which includes Vaughan), Niagara Region, and Mississauga have all reported infected mosquitoes. Mosquito surveillance programs have confirmed WNV-positive mosquito pools in these regions, including specific traps in Vaughan near Weston Road and Rutherford Road.
Health authorities urge residents in affected areas to remain vigilant and take standard precautions to avoid mosquito bites. This includes using insect repellent containing DEET or other EPA-approved ingredients, wearing long sleeves and pants when outdoors, especially during dawn and dusk when mosquitoes are most active, eliminating standing water around homes where mosquitoes breed, keeping window and door screens intact to prevent mosquitoes from entering indoor spaces, and being aware of symptoms developing 2 to 14 days after a mosquito bite, which can include fever, headache, nausea, vomiting, body aches, skin rash, and swollen lymph nodes.
It is important to note that West Nile virus cycles primarily between birds and mosquitoes, with humans being incidental hosts. Most infected people (70-80%) show no symptoms, but some may have mild to severe illness, especially older adults or those with weakened immune systems. Serious neurological illnesses, such as meningitis or encephalitis, are rare but possible.
The risk of contracting West Nile virus increases as mosquito counts rise in summer. Since there's no vaccine for West Nile virus, the city urges residents to be proactive and take necessary measures to protect themselves. By following the recommendations, residents can dramatically reduce their risk and help protect their community from West Nile virus.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that 8 out of 10 infected people don't develop any symptoms. However, in rare cases, a bite from an infected mosquito can lead to serious sickness affecting the brain or nervous system. In such cases, around 10% of people may die.
In conclusion, while WNV-infected mosquitoes are present in Mississauga, Toronto, Vaughan, and surrounding areas, human infections have not yet appeared in 2025. Residents should follow public health guidance on mosquito bite prevention to minimize risk. Effective insect repellents should be applied to protect against West Nile virus, and standing water sources on properties should be eliminated to help prevent the spread of West Nile virus.
- The West Nile virus (WNV) has been discovered in mosquitoes in various regions of Ontario, such as Toronto, Mississauga, Vaughan, York Region, Niagara Region, and beyond.
- As of July 2025, no human cases of WNV have been reported in these affected areas this year.
- Mississauga has issued a news release urging residents to protect themselves and their property from infected mosquitoes near Airport Road and Derry Road East.
- Toronto, York Region, Niagara Region, and Mississauga have all reported WNV-positive mosquitoes in their regions.
- Specific traps in Vaughan near Weston Road and Rutherford Road have confirmed WNV-positive mosquito pools.
- Health authorities recommend vigilance and standard precautions to avoid mosquito bites.
- These precautions include using insect repellent, wearing long sleeves and pants, eliminating standing water, maintaining intact screens, and being aware of symptoms.
- The West Nile virus primarily cycles between birds and mosquitoes, with humans serving as incidental hosts.
- Most infected individuals (70-80%) show no symptoms, but some may experience mild to severe illness, particularly older adults or those with weakened immune systems.
- Serious neurological illnesses, such as meningitis or encephalitis, are rare but possible.
- Summer is when the risk of WNV increases as mosquito counts rise.
- As there's no vaccine for WNV, residents are encouraged to be proactive and adhere to mosquito bite prevention recommendations.
- By following these recommendations, residents can significantly reduce their risk and help protect their community from WNV.
- According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 8 out of 10 infected people don't develop any symptoms.
- However, a bite from an infected mosquito can potentially lead to serious sickness affecting the brain or nervous system in rare cases (10%).
- West Nile virus news has become part of the general health and wellness and science sections of the media in 2025.
- The increased awareness of WNV has sparked discussions about workplace-wellness and the importance of employees' medical-conditions and chronic diseases.
- With aging populations globally, cancers, respiratory conditions, digestive-health, eye-health, hearing, skin-care, and mental-health issues are becoming more prevalent.
- Autoimmune disorders, neurological-disorders, and environmental-science are also gaining attention in the media due to their impact on public health.
- Climate change has been linked to an increase in mosquito populations and the transmission of WNV, prompting concerns for the future of health and men's-health.
- Skin-conditions, nutrition, weight-management, cardiovascular-health, and medicare are other health-related topics that have been covered in the media.
- Health-and-wellness, fitness-and-exercise, sexual-health, and therapies-and-treatments are common focuses in educational-and-self-development and personal-growth initiatives.
- Sports such as football, soccer, baseball, hockey, golf, basketball, racing, American football, tennis, mixed-martial-arts, and weather updates are part of the sports section in general-news media.
- Learning about sports-betting and sports-analysis has become accessible through various online resources and platforms.
- Parenting is a popular topic in community discussions and often includes tips for raising children while addressing various medical-conditions, nutrition, and mental-health needs.
- Career development and mental-health have become essential aspects of discussions around workplaces and workplace-wellness.
- Mental-health awareness and resources are becoming more accessible for women, allowing them to better manage various issues, such as stress, anxiety, depression, and self-care.
- The media's role in disseminating accurate and comprehensive information about public health matters like WNV helps foster a more informed and proactive community.
