Test confirms West Nile virus in mosquitoes caught in Brampton trap

The health region for the Mississauga and Brampton area has confirmed the year’s first cases of West Nile virus-infected mosquitoes.

Peel Public Health announced on Monday that testing has confirmed that mosquitoes captured in traps near the intersection of Queen Street East and Kennedy Road North in Brampton.

The virus can be transmitted to humans through the bite of an infected mosquito. Signs of infection include flu-like symptoms such as fever, headache, body aches, mild rash, and swollen lymph glands. Most people who contract the disease will show no symptoms, “rare cases” of West Nile can lead to severe illness, PPH says.

And while finding mosquitoes that are positive for West Nile virus at this point in the summer season “is not unexpected,” the discovery is a reminder “that prevention is our best defence,” said Dr. Nicholas Brandon, associate medical officer of health for Peel Public Health.

In September, the region reported its first human case of West Nile of 2025 in Mississauga.

Here are some tips to help you avoid getting bitten by mosquitoes this summer:

• Wear a Health Canada approved insect repellent can help prevent mosquito bites, especially those containing an ingredient like DEET or icaridin.
• Use a mosquito net for babies or young children when outdoors, in a crib or stroller.
• Wear light-coloured, tightly woven, loose-fitting clothing such as long pants, a long-sleeved shirt, shoes, and socks to protect exposed skin.
• Avoid shaded or wooded areas with high mosquito populations and take extra precautions during dusk and dawn, when mosquitoes are most active.
• Ensure all windows and door screens fit securely and are free of tears and holes.
• Remove or drain items on your property that hold stagnant water.

The region says water that is stagnant for more than seven days is an ideal breeding site for mosquitoes. Residents in Mississauga and Brampton can report stagnant water sites to Peel Public Health at 905-799-7700, or by calling 311.

For more information on West Nile virus, click here.