Mosquitoes in York Region test positive for West Nile virus

July 16, 2026

Newmarket – York Region Public Health monitors West Nile virus activity by setting mosquito traps and testing for West Nile virus. Two mosquito traps in the City of Markham at Warden Avenue and Highway 7 East and Kennedy Road and 16th Avenue have tested positive for West Nile virus. They are the first positive mosquito traps reported in York Region this summer.

West Nile virus is an infection that can be spread to people through the bite of an infected mosquito.

To protect yourself and your family from mosquito bites and West Nile virus, follow these simple steps:

Get rid of mosquito-friendly areas at home

  • Clean up standing water from your property where mosquitos can breed, for example in bird baths, flowerpots, swimming pool covers and clogged eavestroughs
  • Ensure window screens in your home are tight-fitting and in good repair

Cover up while outside 

  • Use insect repellent containing DEET or icaridin – check label directions for use
  • Wear light-coloured protective clothing, including pants and long-sleeved shirts

As part of York Region’s 2026 West Nile virus Control Plan, York Region Public Health uses larvicides in catch basins to control mosquito breeding along Regional and municipal roads and other stagnant public water sources including roadside ditches, monitors mosquitoes for West Nile virus weekly and investigates reported human cases.

Watch the Fight the Bite video to learn more about symptoms and how to protect yourself from West Nile virus.

For more information on West Nile virus, please contact York Region Health Connection at 1-800-361-5653 or TTY 711 or visit york.ca/WestNile         

The Regional Municipality of York consists of nine local cities and towns and provides a variety of programs and services to more than 1.3 million residents and over 58,000 businesses with 624,000 employees. More information about the Region’s key service areas is available at york.ca/RegionalServices

-30-

Media Contact: 

Hayden Casey, Communications Associate, Community and Health Services, The Regional Municipality of York
Phone: 289-763-5045, Email: @email | After Hours: 905-806-1216, @email