Area birds test positive for West Nile Virus

News Release
NWHU

The Northwestern Health Unit would like to advise the public that dead crows from Kenora and Sioux narrows have been confirmed positive for the West Nile Virus.
On July 20, 2006, the Northwestern Health Unit was advised by the Canadian Co-Operative Wildlife Health Centre in Guelph that 2 dead crows submitted by the Kenora office were confirmed positive for the West Nile Virus. This brings the total of West Nile positive birds in the Kenora and Rainy River Districts to 14.
There have never been human cases or West Nile Virus positive mosquitoes identified in the districts.
The West Nile Virus is spread to humans by the bite of an infected mosquito. Mosquitoes become infected by biting an infected bird. The virus is not spread by person-to-person contact and cannot be spread directly from bird to human.
The risk of becoming seriously ill as a result of an infection with West Nile Virus is extremely low and most people who become infected experience no symptoms or have very mild illness, with fever, headache, muscle weakness or body aches. Those at increased risk of severe illness are individuals over 50 years of age and those with weakened immune systems. Symptoms of West Nile Virus encephalitis (the rare, serious form of the disease include severe headache, stiff neck, nausea and vomiting, and altered level of consciousness and mental state.
Even though the risk of contracting West Nile Virus is low, the appearance of WNV positive birds confirms that the virus is active in the areas and consequently, the risk of infection still exists. The public can lessen this risk by:
* Removing any standing water on their property.
* Avoid being outside between dusk an dawn, if possible. If you must be out during this period of time, wear long pants and long-sleeved shirts to reduce exposure to mosquitoes.
* Turning over wading pool when not in use.
* Ensuring eavestroughs are draining properly
* Replacing damaged screening on windows and doors.
* Wearing light coloured clothing when going outside.
* Using a personal insect repellent containing DEET, following the manufacturer’s label instructions carefully, especially as it relates to children.
As a consequence of these positive findings, the Health Unit has suspended the bird collection programme within a 20 km radius of the sites where the positive birds were located.