Mosquitoes found in a Westminster Ponds area trap have tested positive for the West Nile virus.
This is the first actual insects to test positive for the virus, although the health unit says now a total of four crows and one horse have become infected.
The infected mosquitoes were from a trap near Wellington and Southdale Rd.
The two most recent dead birds were found at Dundas and Hale St. in east London and the Oxford and Hyde Park area.
"These findings are an important reminder that although summer is winding down, we still need to take steps to protect ourselves from mosquito bites,” says Jeremy Hogeveen with the Middlesex-London Health Unit. “That means removing standing water from areas like eavestroughs, flower pots and other objects around the yard, and taking steps to discourage bites like wearing light-coloured clothing and using a bug repellant that contains DEET.”
West Nile can cause flu like symptoms in humans and lead to meningitis or encephalitis.
There have yet to be any human cases reported in the area.