First human case of West Nile virus this year confirmed in Toronto, PHAC says
The confirmation comes after Toronto Public Health said its first laboratory-confirmed case of the virus in 2025 is an adult resident of the city with no travel history.
The virus is transmitted to humans through infected mosquitoes.
PHAC's West Nile surveillance report says that as of July 12, two other Canadian residents were infected this year while travelling outside of the country.
Its surveillance map shows West Nile detections in two mosquito pools in Ontario and one in Manitoba as of that date.
Toronto Public Health says symptoms usually begin between two to 14 days after a mosquito bite and can include fever, headache, nausea, vomiting, body aches, skin rash, swollen lymph glands or a stiff neck.
It says older adults and people with compromised immune systems are at higher risk of severe illness.
People can prevent infection by avoiding mosquito bites – wear light-coloured long sleeves and long pants, use Health Canada-approved insect repellent, put tight-fitting screens on all windows and get rid of standing water in buckets, planters, pool covers and other containers to eliminate mosquito breeding grounds.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
CTV News
25 minutes ago
- CTV News
New mobile crisis response teams boosting mental health supports in Windsor-Essex
Hotel Dieu Grace Healthcare has opened a new Crisis and Mental Wellness Centre in Windsor ( Bob Bellacicco / CTV Windsor ) Hôtel-Dieu Grace Healthcare is enhancing mental health support in Windsor-Essex by launching the Mobile Crisis Rapid Response Team. This team replaces the former mental health response units. The new model pairs specially trained social workers with Essex OPP officers to respond to live crisis calls. Seven adult units and a youth unit for those under 16 are now in operation and current clients will continue to receive follow-up care. The initiative also strengthens collaboration with Windsor Police Services, and expands crisis support across the region.
CTV News
an hour ago
- CTV News
‘High hopes' of liver donor for ill 18-month-old Airdrie boy
An Airdrie couple is spreading the word about live liver donations as they await a donor to save their toddler's life. An Airdrie couple is spreading the word about live liver donations as they await a donor to save their toddler's life. 'Having a donor transplant for Colby would be life-changing,' said the toddler's mother, Stephanie Crofts. Colby Crofts is an 18-month-old with a rare genetic condition called Alagille syndrome that impacts his organs, primarily his liver. He has been in hospital several times due to liver failure. His latest stay started in June. 'We spent the last almost nine weeks in hospital. It's been pretty tumultuous, I would say,' his mom said. 'It's been hard watching him get so sick.' An Airdrie couple is spreading the word about live liver donations as they await a donor to save their toddler's life. An Airdrie couple is spreading the word about live liver donations as they await a donor to save their toddler's life. It is a difficult time for the toddler, his mom who stays with him at Alberta Children's Hospital (ACH) and his dad and three sisters who have been staying nearby at Ronald McDonald House. 'It's been a struggle for the family. We have high hopes and are believing things are going to change,' said his father, Mike Crofts. Right now, Colby is not able to walk or stand, has to take several medications and is always hooked up to a machine. His doctor says Colby needs a liver donation. 'It would be the difference between life and death for him,' said Dr. Simon Lam, who works in the Pediatric Gastroenterology Clinic at ACH. 'The priority is to get an organ to make sure we can get Colby back on track.' Lam says it is 'night and day' when children who need liver transplants get them, allowing the children to finally be able to grow, develop and live like kids. Colby was officially listed for a liver transplant on July 3, and his family is hoping the right donor comes along soon. It could come from someone deceased or a live donor who has surgery to remove a piece of their liver. An Airdrie couple is spreading the word about live liver donations as they await a donor to save their toddler's life. An Airdrie couple is spreading the word about live liver donations as they await a donor to save their toddler's life. His family says the living option does come with advantages. 'We could have a known time; we could book it during daytime (and) we could make sure the surgeons are all prepared and it's not an emergency,' Colby's mom said. She says she never knew living donors could give a piece of their liver. 'The liver is like a worm; you can cut a piece off and it can just regrow, but unfortunately for Colby, because of his genetic condition, his liver can't regenerate and repair itself,' said Dr. Lam. 'It is a major surgery, so there are risks with it, but overall the donors do very, very well.' Recovery for living donors often includes up to a week in hospital followed by about six to 10 weeks at home. Colby needs a donor with type O blood (+ or -) who is healthy and between the ages of 18 and 55. An Airdrie couple is spreading the word about live liver donations as they await a donor to save their toddler's life. An Airdrie couple is spreading the word about live liver donations as they await a donor to save their toddler's life. Colby's mom says she learned there are eleven children waiting for livers in the areas served by Alberta's Living Donor Services (including Alberta and parts of Saskatchewan, B.C. and Northern Canada). That's why Colby's family and doctor are raising awareness about organ donation. 'The impact people can make with a selfless act,' said Dr. Lam. 'That huge impact that organ donation can have for the community and specifically patients like Colby.' Kidneys can also be donated through living donor programs. Anyone considering registering as a donor can contact Living Donor Services at 780-407-8698.
CTV News
an hour ago
- CTV News
Salmonella outbreak linked to pistachios, Dubai chocolate likely to expand, PHAC says
A Dubai brand pistachio and knafeh milk chocolate bar is shown in this undated handout photo. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Handout - Government of Canada TORONTO — The Public Health Agency of Canada says it expects to report more salmonella cases linked to certain brands of pistachios and pistachio-containing products in the coming months, adding to the dozens of infections already confirmed in four provinces. On Tuesday, the federal agency said 52 have been sickened after eating contaminated pistachios and baked goods containing the nut. That includes 39 people in Quebec, nine in Ontario, three in British Columbia and one in Manitoba. Nine people have landed in hospital. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency has recalled products from the brands Habibi, Al Mokhtar Food Centre and Dubai, distributed in Ontario, Quebec, and sold online to consumers across Canada. That includes Dubai chocolate, a type of treat that gained viral status for its decadent combination of milk chocolate, gooey pistachio cream and crispy knafeh, a sweet pastry. The chocolate bar gained fame on TikTok in 2023 as influencers filmed themselves trying the confection, initially created in the United Arab Emirates. The popularity has led to copycat products and spawned many reviews and recipes on food blogs. April Hexemer, the public health agency's director of outbreak management, says she expects that reports of salmonella cases will increase because of the time it takes for someone to report an illness and health officials to confirm it. Hexemer says it can take between 15 and 55 days to identify a case, as it involves the patient seeking care and getting tested to determine if their infection is linked to the outbreak. 'There will be quite some time before we can declare this one over,' Hexemer said in an interview Wednesday. She said officials estimate there are 26 more cases for every confirmed infection. 'Some people have a milder illness and don't seek medical care. Or if they do, they may not be subjected to a laboratory test,' Hexemer said. She said it's too soon to say if there will be recalls of other pistachio-containing products, or if investigators can determine the origins of the outbreak. It's also too early to say why most of the outbreak's cases – 75 per cent – have been females, ranging in age from two to 89 years old. Salmonella is a food-borne bacterial illness that can spread several days or weeks after a person is infected, even if they don't have symptoms. It can result in severe and potentially deadly infections, particularly for children, pregnant people, the elderly and people with weakened immune systems. Healthy people may experience short-term symptoms such as fever, headache, vomiting, nausea, cramps and diarrhea. Those symptoms typically start six to 72 hours after exposure, and end within a week. The food inspection agency encourages consumers to check the brand and product codes in the recall notice and get rid or return products that match the description. More details can be found at here. Hannah Alberga, The Canadian Press
