Flooding has kept the Toronto Islands closed since the spring. ( Anne-Marie Jackson \/ Toronto Star file photo ) <\/p>\n
Mosquitoes carrying the West Nile virus have been found on the Toronto Islands, which are set to reopen Monday following extensive flooding throughout the spring and summer. <\/p>\n
An email from a Toronto Public Health official sent Tuesday informed an Island residents group of the latest development in a summer that has left attractions rained out, parks underwater and businesses without customers. <\/p>\n
For your information, mosquitoes collected from our traps on the Toronto Islands tested positive for West Nile virus this week, the email stated. <\/p>\n
We are continuing to work with Parks, Forestry and Recreation in identifying and remediating mosquito breeding sites on the Islands on a regular basis. It is not only a local problem, as West Nile virus and vector mosquitoes are spread across Toronto and Ontario, but we did want to share this finding with you. <\/p>\n
The email included a fact sheet about measures islanders can take to steer clear of the virus. <\/p>\n
The city recommends wearing light-coloured, long-sleeved shirts and pants when outdoors and applying bug spray. Residents should also make sure their homes have tight-fitting screens on windows and doors to prevent mosquitoes from getting inside. <\/p>\n
The warning comes less than a week before the islands are supposed to reopen to the public, as the city has been working towards a July 31 target. <\/p>\n
Toronto Island Park has been closed to the general public since May and ferry service to the Wards Island Dock has been restricted to residents. <\/p>\n
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Mosquitoes with West Nile virus found on Toronto Islands - Toronto Star<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Flooding has kept the Toronto Islands closed since the spring. ( Anne-Marie Jackson \/ Toronto Star file photo ) Mosquitoes carrying the West Nile virus have been found on the Toronto Islands, which are set to reopen Monday following extensive flooding throughout the spring and summer. An email from a Toronto Public Health official sent Tuesday informed an Island residents group of the latest development in a summer that has left attractions rained out, parks underwater and businesses without customers. Continue reading