West Nile Virus and Mosquito Surveillance

We work to protect the health of northwestern Ontario residents by monitoring potential health risks. To track West Nile virus (WNV) risk, the health unit does weekly mosquito trapping across the region.

2022 statistics

In 2022, we sent 30 samples from six different trap sites to a lab for mosquito identification and testing. Only certain kinds of mosquitoes can carry West Nile virus. Out of the samples taken, 89.4% were not the types of mosquitos that normally spread West Nile virus. During 2022, there were no positive human cases of West Nile virus reported in our region and non of the mosquito pools sent for analysis tested positive for West Nile virus.

2020-2021 statistics

Due to COVID-19, we did not complete West Nile Virus surveillance.

2019 statistics

In 2019, 77 samples from 12 different trap sites were sent to a lab for mosquito identification and testing. Only certain kinds of mosquitoes can carry West Nile virus. Out of the samples taken, 92% were not the types of mosquito that can spread West Nile virus. In that year, there were no positive human cases of WNV reported in our region and none of the mosquito pools sent for analysis tested positive for WNV.