June 27, 2006

Officials at Thunder Bay District Health Unit have received notice that two dead crows submitted to provincial labs earlier this month have tested positive for West Nile virus (WNV).

“The timing of these results is similar to last year. During the summer collection season of 2005, we submitted a total of 51 birds, which resulted in 10 positive birds overall, “ points out Tony Pacifico, Manager of the Environmental Health Program at the Thunder Bay District Health Unit. “Our mosquito trapping results from last year continue to indicate that we have a very low proportion of mosquitoes in the area that bite birds and could pass on the disease to humans.  However; taking steps to avoid mosquito bites should still be part of our summer routine.”

West Nile virus is spread to humans through the bite of an infected mosquito. Mosquitoes get the virus by feeding on infected birds. Most people who are infected have no symptoms at all or have a mild illness such as fever, headache, muscle weakness or body aches.

The Thunder Bay District Health Unit participates in the provincial Dead Bird Collection Program to survey if and when the virus is in the area.  The Health Unit also conducts mosquito trapping and species identification to identify the kinds of mosquito that live here.

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