Home / Health / West Nile Virus Hits Ottawa: Two Human Cases Confirmed
West Nile Virus Hits Ottawa: Two Human Cases Confirmed
10 Sep
Summary
- Two human cases of West Nile virus confirmed in Ottawa.
- Over 20 mosquito pools tested positive for West Nile virus this year.
- Residents advised to prevent bites until the first hard frost.
Ottawa Public Health has confirmed two human cases of West Nile virus in Ottawa as of September 10, 2026. This marks the first confirmed human cases of the season in the city. The virus has also been detected in the surrounding Eastern Ontario Health Unit.
Public health officials are urging residents to continue taking precautions to prevent mosquito bites until the first hard frost. These measures include using insect repellent, wearing protective clothing at dusk and dawn, and eliminating standing water around homes where mosquitoes can breed.
Ottawa Public Health reported that 23 out of 1,147 tested mosquito pools have tested positive for West Nile virus this year. While anyone can contract the virus, older adults and individuals with compromised immune systems face a greater risk of developing severe symptoms.
