Summer in Ajax just got a little buzzier in all the wrong ways. Durham Region health officials say a batch of adult mosquitoes trapped in the town has tested positive for West Nile virus, marking the first positive mosquito batch detected in the region this season. The health unit stresses that the overall risk to most residents is still low, but the result is a clear sign that mosquito activity is ramping up as the weather warms. Public health staff will keep up targeted trapping and larviciding while urging residents to stick to some simple bite-prevention habits.
Health department confirms Ajax trap positive
According to the Durham Region Health Department, the positive result came from one of its weekly mosquito trap sites in Ajax and was confirmed at an accredited laboratory. As noted by the Region of Durham, this is the first mosquito batch in Durham Region to test positive for West Nile virus this season, giving public health officials a clearer picture of where to focus their control efforts.
What officials recommend
“Although the risk of becoming infected is low, the Health Department recommends residents take precautions to minimize the risk of mosquito bites,” the health unit said.
Those precautions include wearing shoes, socks and light-coloured clothing, such as long-sleeve tops and full-length pants, especially during peak mosquito hours. Officials also advise using insect repellent that contains DEET or icaridin, checking that window and door screens are in good repair, and dumping out standing water on your property where mosquitoes like to breed.
On the public side, the health department treats catch basins and stagnant water sites with larvicide to knock down mosquito populations. More details on local control work and personal protection are available from Durham Region.
Wider Ontario trend
The Ajax finding fits into a wider pattern across the Greater Toronto Area, where health units are starting to log their first West Nile-positive mosquito traps of the season. Toronto Public Health confirmed its first positive mosquito batches on July 17. Halton Region reported a positive batch earlier in July, underscoring a broader uptick across the region.
Symptoms and when to seek care
Most people infected with West Nile virus either feel nothing at all or experience only a mild, flu-like illness. When symptoms do show up, they often include fever, headache, body aches, nausea, vomiting and rash. The incubation period typically ranges from two to 15 days after a bite.
Anyone who develops more serious warning signs - such as a high fever, stiff neck, confusion, difficulty speaking or sudden weakness - should seek medical attention, according to the Public Health Agency of Canada.
Locally, residents with questions or concerns, or those who want to report stagnant water, are asked to call the Durham Health Connection Line at 905-668-2020 or 1-800-841-2729. More coverage of the Ajax detection is available from the Durham Post.
