Positive Pool of Mosquitoes for West Nile Virus Found in Waterloo Region (1)

August 01, 2025

Waterloo Region - One pool of mosquitoes tested positive last week for West Nile Virus in Cambridge. This brings the total number of positive pools detected to date in the region to three, with two previous pools detected in Kitchener.

Although the positive pools of mosquitoes were found in Cambridge and Kitchener, this means that West Nile Virus is present in the region and it is important for people to take precautions against West Nile Virus throughout the region. West Nile Virus also has been detected at various locations across Ontario this season with seven human cases reported to date. With the temperatures remaining warm and the vacation season in full swing, many people will be spending time outdoors.

Public Health urges residents to take precautions when venturing outdoors. Helpful suggestions for personal protection include the following:

Make Personal Protection a Priority

  • Wear light coloured, tightly woven long sleeved shirts, pants and a hat.
  • Minimize time spent outdoors during dusk and dawn.
  • Apply a repellant containing DEET. Follow manufacturer’s instructions and never use a concentration higher than needed for the time you plan to spend outdoors. Eucalyptus plant compounds and soybean oil are other alternatives.
  • The use of DEET on a child under the age of six months is not recommended.
  • Make sure that door and window screens fit tightly and have no holes that would allow mosquitoes to enter. 

Eliminate Mosquito Breeding Grounds

  • Eliminate standing water on your property to reduce places where mosquitoes
  • can breed including water in bird baths, eaves troughs, flower pot saucers.
  • Don’t allow outdoor objects to collect water.
  • Cover rain barrels with a fine mesh screen.
  • Change water in birdbaths and livestock watering tanks at least once a week.
  • Don’t allow water to collect in roadside ditches or in low lying areas on your property.
  • Clean up brush and debris that could act as mosquito breeding areas.

For more information about West Nile Virus, call 519-883-2008 ext 5147 or visit: http://chd.region.waterloo.on.ca/en/healthylivinghealthprotection/westnilevirus.asp

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Media contact: Brenda Miller, Manager, Health Protection and Investigation 519-883-2379