West Nile virus season is upon us
Mosquitoes collected from a trap in New Tecumseth tested positive for the West Nile virus (WNv).
As of Friday, no confirmed human cases of the mosquito-borne viral disease have been reported in Simcoe Muskoka.
However, a dead bird found in Bradford West Gwillimbury in July also tested positive for WNv.
West Nile virus circulates between birds and some species of mosquitoes. The virus can be transferred to people by a mosquito bite, if the bug has first bitten an infected bird.
The best way to do avoid WNv is to protect yourself from mosquito bites, although the health unit says the risk of contracting WNv from an infected mosquito is highest in late summer.
The following personal protection is recommended:
Use an approved mosquito repellent and follow manufacturer's instructions.
Wear light-coloured clothing and cover up in areas where mosquitoes are present.
Stay indoors when mosquitoes are most active – at dusk and dawn – when possible.
Although most people will not become sick if bitten by an infected mosquito, WNv can cause severe illness in some people.
Symptoms of WNv include:
fever,
muscle weakness,
stiff neck,
confusion,
severe headache
a sudden sensitivity to light.
In very rare cases, the virus may cause serious neurological illness. People who experience symptoms should seek medical advice.
Anyone with concerns about a dead bird can contact the Canadian Wildlife Health Cooperative (CWHC) at 1-866-673-4781.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
CTV News
9 minutes ago
- CTV News
Lawyer ‘very confident' a foreign adversary attacked Canadian diplomats in Cuba
In this April 17, 2018, file photo, a man walks beside Canada's embassy in Havana, Cuba. (AP Photo/Desmond Boylan, File) OTTAWA — A lawyer for Canadian diplomats and their families says he believes the mysterious ailments they suffered in Cuba were caused by a foreign adversary, despite a federal government report that dismisses the theory. Eight years after foreign service officials and their dependants began reporting such symptoms as headaches, memory loss, mood changes, vision problems, nausea and nosebleeds, a legal action against Ottawa over the health problems is still grinding along in Federal Court. The 17 plaintiffs, who seek millions of dollars in damages, allege the Canadian government failed to protect them, hid crucial information and downplayed the seriousness of the risks. The government has denied negligence and wrongdoing. Several U.S. personnel who worked in Cuba have reported similar health issues, commonly known as Havana Syndrome. Theories about the cause have included pesticide spraying, the effect of chirping crickets, malfunctioning eavesdropping devices, and targeted energy or sonic attacks by an enemy state. The Canadian government says it has found no evidence of foul play by a foreign adversary. A Global Affairs Canada report completed in August 2024 says the department has concluded that the unexplained health incidents 'were not the result of a malicious act of a foreign actor.' The report, drawing on the work of an interdepartmental task force and external experts, says pre-existing medical conditions, environmental factors and conventional illnesses 'were likely to have been important factors in many of the symptoms experienced.' The report adds that the findings 'do not cast doubt on the authenticity of the symptoms reported by staff members and their dependants.' Paul Miller, a lawyer for the plaintiffs, told The Canadian Press he is 'very confident' a foreign actor is to blame for the Canadians' health difficulties. 'I really trust the people that I have spoken with and met with,' he said. 'I have absolutely no faith in the (Global Affairs Canada) report because they are trying to put out the narrative that works for them.' The plaintiffs' court action, filed in 2019, remains unresolved. Three years ago, the parties agreed to the appointment of a former Supreme Court judge to mediate the claims of nine family members in the case. Miller said the two days of talks in early 2023 'just went nowhere.' He said he has made efforts to file new information in the case but the material is being treated as confidential pending the resolution of concerns about the disclosure of sensitive or potentially injurious information, as defined by the Canada Evidence Act. The Global Affairs report traces the various steps federal agencies have taken over the years in response to the illness complaints, including security, medical and environmental assessments. A multi-agency Integrated National Security Enforcement Team, led by the RCMP, opened an investigation in June 2017. Global Affairs and RCMP officials began travelling regularly to Cuba as part of the investigation to look at the possibility of malicious attacks, the report says. Canadian officials also shared information with foreign partners, including the United States. In 2019, instruments designed to detect and capture evidence of acoustic and radiation surges, and to measure environmental effects — such as temperature, humidity, barometric pressure and ozone levels — were installed in the living quarters of Canadian staff in Havana. 'The data collected from the instruments did not provide relevant and probative information to identify a cause for the symptoms,' the Global Affairs report says. 'As such, in 2022, the instruments were removed.' The integrated national security team concluded 'there was no criminality and no evidence attributing these health symptoms to a foreign actor,' the report adds. 'In their conclusions, the RCMP and other domestic partner agencies assess that there is no known criminality, no known attribution for (unexplained health incidents) and no patterns related to symptoms, age, gender, location, or other variable.' The U.S. intelligence community looked at possible evidence of a foreign adversary's involvement, the feasibility of tools that could cause the reported symptoms and whether medical analysis could help find answers. A March 1, 2023, report from the U.S. National Intelligence Council said these lines of inquiry led most intelligence community agencies to conclude — with varying levels of confidence — that it was 'very unlikely' a foreign adversary was responsible for the health issues reported by American personnel. Global Affairs, the Canadian Security Intelligence Service and the RCMP subsequently met to discuss the U.S. council's findings. The RCMP indicated that 'since no criminality was uncovered, its criminal investigation would be concluded,' and CSIS advised it also would be wrapping up its investigations for similar reasons, the Global Affairs report says. Overall, the Canadian efforts 'have not uncovered a clear common cause of the symptoms experienced by government of Canada employees,' the report adds. 'Canada's findings are aligned with the conclusions of the United States on their various health studies and the security report published by the National Intelligence Council.' Miller points to other research and testimony that challenge those findings. Lawyer Mark Zaid, representing several U.S. personnel with symptoms, told a congressional hearing in May 2024 there was intelligence, scientific and medical evidence substantiating the reports of anomalous health incidents, and that some were caused by a foreign adversary. Zaid, who had authorized access to secret details, said he was convinced that 'the evidence that exists in the classified arena directly contradicts the public conclusions' provided by U.S. federal agencies about the cause of the health symptoms. Global Affairs says it stands by the findings of its 2024 report. Department spokesperson John Babcock said the foreign ministry continues to support the Canadian diplomats and their dependants. 'For privacy and security reasons, Global Affairs Canada cannot comment on the specifics of the ongoing investigations, individual cases, nor on specific security measures,' he said in an emailed response to questions. 'We cannot provide further comment on this matter as it is before the courts.' Internal Global Affairs notes — prepared last year to help answer questions about the department's report — say the unexplained health incidents 'highlighted the challenges of providing responsive health care to diplomats and their families in the context of unforeseen crisis situations abroad.' The notes, obtained through the Access to Information Act, say the department had initiated a 'thorough review' of the department's overseas health program for employees and their dependants in missions around the world. This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 17, 2025. Jim Bronskill, The Canadian Press
CBC
11 hours ago
- CBC
First human case of West Nile virus reported in Windsor-Essex, health unit says
The Windsor-Essex County Health Unit (WECHU) has reported its first human case of West Nile virus of 2025. That's slightly later than last year, when the first human case appeared in July, according to the health unit's infectious disease dashboard. It's a reminder for Windsor-Essex residents to protect themselves from mosquito bites, the health unit said. "It is important for everyone to eliminate any standing water around their property and take personal protective measures to avoid mosquito bites even as we approach the cooler fall months," said Dr. Mehdi Aloosh, medical officer of health for Windsor-Essex. West Nile virus is transmitted through the bite of an infected mosquito. Some people experience no symptoms, but others can experience fever, headaches, nausea, vomiting, body aches, skin rashes and swollen lymph glands. Symptoms usually begin between two and 14 days after transmission. People over the age of 50 and those with weakened immune systems are at higher risk of severe disease. The health unit offered the following tips for avoiding mosquito bites: Apply insect repellents that are approved by Health Canada, and follow the manufacturer's instructions. Wear long-sleeved shirts, long pants, and a hat when outdoors. Light-coloured clothing is best as mosquitoes tend to be attracted to dark colours. Limit the time you spend outdoors at dawn and dusk when mosquitoes are most active. Remove any standing water in places such as bird baths, buckets, old tires, pet water dishes and gutters around your property. Make sure that door and window screens fit securely and are holes-free. Call 311 or your local bylaw enforcement for standing water observed in your community. The health unit recorded seven human cases of West Nile virus in the county in 2024, according to its dashboard. That was the highest number since 2018, when it recorded 13 cases; it recorded 20 in 2017. Its year-to-month five-year average is just 2.4 cases.
Globe and Mail
20 hours ago
- Globe and Mail
2 Top Dividend Stocks to Buy on the Dip
Key Points Pfizer's pipeline in oncology, combined with its cost-cutting initiatives, could help it bounce back. Merck could move beyond Keytruda thanks to newer approvals and a novel formulation of the medicine. Both companies have increased their dividends at a decent rate over the past five years. 10 stocks we like better than Pfizer › Dividend stocks are a great investment choice for many reasons. Buying on the dip is even better, provided, of course, they have the means to bounce back. Investors looking for companies that fit this profile should strongly consider Pfizer (NYSE: PFE) and Merck (NYSE: MRK). These two market leaders have lagged broader equities over the trailing-12-month period, but for those focused on the long game, they still look attractive. Here's the rundown. 1. Pfizer Over the past few years, Pfizer has dealt with worsening financial results and stiff competition for some products. It also faces the prospect of losing patent protection for others; these include Eliquis, an anticoagulant that is one of its top-selling drugs, and Xtandi, a cancer treatment. Both will lose their patents in the U.S. within the next few years. These challenges have led to terrible stock-market performance. However, the sell-off may have gone too far. At current levels, Pfizer's shares look attractive. One reason the company should bounce back and continue to deliver strong returns over the long run is its deep pipeline, particularly in oncology, one of the largest therapeutic areas in the industry. Pfizer currently has five blockbuster cancer medicines, and plans to raise that number to eight by 2030. Pfizer has exciting candidates in other areas as well, and in recent years has earned approval for several new products. Though these aren't yet meaningfully contributing to its top-line growth, they should do so eventually as they earn label expansion. The company's vaccine for respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), Abrysvo, generated $143 million in sales in the second quarter, which isn't bad for a product approved in 2023. It also recently earned a label expansion in Europe for adults age 18 to 59 (it was previously indicated for those 60 and older). Pfizer should make progress with Abrysvo and other newer launches. The company has also been reducing expenses. These initiatives were likely partly responsible for Pfizer's earnings beat during the second quarter. Management intends to achieve $4.5 billion in net cost savings this year and pursue further reductions in the years ahead, efforts that should help improve profitability. Pfizer is a solid dividend stock. Its forward yield currently tops 7%, and the company has increased its payouts by 19.5% in the past five years. While the stock may take some time to recover, Pfizer could be an excellent long-term investment for income-seeking investors. 2. Merck Merck is facing several issues, none more important than increased competition for its best-selling drug, cancer medicine Keytruda, and an upcoming patent cliff in 2028 for the medicine. Also, the company's second-quarter results were not strong: Revenue declined by 2% year over year to $15.8 billion, while adjusted earnings per share declined by 7% to $2.13. However, there were some bright spots for the company. Most notably, Winrevair -- one of its newest launches, which earned approval last year -- reported sales of $336 million. Winrevair is a therapy for pulmonary arterial hypertension with a new mechanism of action. It should become a blockbuster relatively soon. Merck's business in animal health -- where it's one of the leaders -- also performed well, with sales from that segment rising by 11% year over year to $1.6 billion in the second quarter. Meanwhile, Merck has some exciting pipeline candidates that should help it overcome Keytruda-related challenges. One of them is a subcutaneous version of Keytruda, which has already aced phase 3 studies and will help extend the medicine's patent protection. Merck has also significantly improved its pipeline in recent years thanks to licensing agreements. Its candidates include promising cancer products and weight loss medicines. Just as Winrevair appears to be a major success, Merck is also likely to develop innovative therapies that will mitigate potential Keytruda-related revenue losses. So, despite recent setbacks, the business could bounce back given Merck's history of innovation. Turning to Merck's dividend program, the company now offers a forward yield of 4.1%, with its dividends increasing by 39% over the past five years. The stock remains a good pick for dividend seekers. Should you invest $1,000 in Pfizer right now? Before you buy stock in Pfizer, consider this: The Motley Fool Stock Advisor analyst team just identified what they believe are the 10 best stocks for investors to buy now… and Pfizer wasn't one of them. The 10 stocks that made the cut could produce monster returns in the coming years. Consider when Netflix made this list on December 17, 2004... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you'd have $668,155!* Or when Nvidia made this list on April 15, 2005... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you'd have $1,106,071!* Now, it's worth noting Stock Advisor's total average return is 1,070% — a market-crushing outperformance compared to 184% for the S&P 500. Don't miss out on the latest top 10 list, available when you join Stock Advisor. See the 10 stocks » *Stock Advisor returns as of August 13, 2025
