Five new cases of West Nile virus were reported in Windsor-Essex on Thursday morning.

That brings the total this year to 15 and three people remain hospitalized with the disease.

The local health unit says 25 positive mosquito test pools have been found in Windsor, Amherstburg, Essex, and Kingsville.

The disease is on the rise in southern Ontario. Public Health Ontario says 87 people have been infected with the virus.

The worst year for West Nile in Ontario was 2002, when the province recorded 186 cases by the end of August.

Dr. Colin Lee says this year could give 2002 competition with several weeks of mosquito activity likely ahead.