July 27, 2006

The collection of dead birds in the city limits of Thunder Bay will be suspended as of today.  The province has concluded that the tests results clearly show the presence of West Nile Virus within the city limits and there is no need to continue surveillance in this geographic area. 

Public Health staff will be focusing on the surveillance of the mosquito populations in the city and continue collection of dead birds from the areas outlying Thunder Bay and in the District.

Dead birds, particularly crows, from the corvid family have been surveyed in the past three years to see if they died from West Nile Virus.  These birds are considered ‘sentinels’ to track the progression of the disease across the country.  So far this season, 140 birds have been picked up from the city based on reports from residents.  19 have been sent to a public health labs at Guelph University for testing where 12 have been found to have West Nile Virus.

“Because we will no longer be picking up dead birds from city properties, residents should take some precautions when removing the carcasses from their property,” explains Tony Pacifico, Manager of Environmental Health at the Thunder Bay District Health Unit.  “Residents can dispose of the bird by wearing gloves, double bagging it and placing in the garbage, or at a landfill. Immediately wash your hands after handling any dead animal.”

The latest studies of the mosquito populations indicate that the species that moves West Nile Virus from the bird population is found in very low numbers in our area.  This makes the risk on contracting West Nile low, but possible.

For more information, residents can visit the Health Unit Website at http://www.tbdhu.com/EH/WestNile/CollectBirds.htm.

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