Toronto Public Health has received lab confirmation that an adult living in the city has tested positive for West Nile virus – the first human case of the year.

No word where or when this person contracted West Nile.

There were 26 confirmed human cases last year – up over 25% from the year before.

”While the risk of becoming infected with West Nile virus in Toronto is very low, now is a good time to remind residents of the ways they can protect themselves from mosquito bites and held reduce the risk of infection,” says Dr. Eileen de Villa, Toronto’s Medical Officer of Health.

Preventative measures include covering up when outside by wearing light-coloured clothing with long sleeves and pants, applying insect repellant containing DEET or incaridin, avoiding being outdoors during peak mosquito biting time (dawn and dusk) and removing standing water from your property where mosquitos can breed.