Toronto Public Health confirms 1st 2026 case of West Nile virus

Toronto Public Health confirms 1st 2026 case of West Nile virus

The organization recommends Toronto residents to wear long sleeves, use bug spray

Toronto Public Health has confirmed the first human case of the West Nile virus in the city for 2026.

An adult in Toronto has contracted the virus, according to a statement from the organization.

West Nile is transmitted through bites from an infected mosquito. As of September 2025, there have been a total of 26 cases confirmed in the city.

Only 14 cases of West Nile virus were confirmed in 2026.

According to the statement, symptoms of West Nile virus usually develop between two and 14 days after a person is bitten by an infected mosquito.

"Older individuals and people with compromised immune systems are at higher risk of severe illness," the statement read.

How to protect yourself from the West Nile Virus

Toronto Public Health is encouraging residents to take precautions to protect themselves when outdoors.

This includes wearing long, light coloured clothes and applying a Health Canada-approved insect repellent. It also recommends removing standing water where mosquitoes can breed, taking extra care during peak mosquito-biting time (dusk and dawn) and ensuring screens fit tight on windows and doors.

Residents are also encouraged to find more information on Toronto Public Health’s West Nile monitoring page.