News Release                   For Immediate Release

July 16, 2003

First Crow Positive for West Nile Virus in Grey County This Year

GREY COUNTY - The Public Health Unit was notified that a crow tested positive for West Nile Virus (WNV).   The crow was found in a rural area of Grey Highlands.  Of the 21 birds in Grey and Bruce Counties tested this year, this is the first bird with WNV.  Last year three birds were confirmed positive with the virus. 

West Nile Virus is transmitted to humans by mosquitoes.  They become infected when they feed on the blood of infected birds.  An infected mosquito can then transmit West Nile Virus to humans, birds and animals when it takes a blood meal. 

“What’s important is that West Nile Virus has not been found in any mosquitoes in Grey and Bruce Counties.  To date in Ontario only one mosquito pool has tested positive.   Canada has no confirmed human cases,” says Dr. Hazel Lynn, Medical Officer of Health for Grey-Bruce. 

Mosquito testing traps have been in Grey and Bruce Counties since June.  Due to the presence of WNV in the dead bird, Public Health will increase mosquito surveillance in that area.

Although most people who become infected usually experience mild symptoms such as fever or headaches, in a small number of cases more severe symptoms including inflammation of the brain and, on rare occasions, death can occur.

To protect yourself and your family, you need to take the following common sense precautions:

·        Try to stay indoors when mosquitoes are most active (dusk to dawn).

·        When you do go outside, wear light-coloured, long-sleeved shirts and long pants.

·        Use insect repellent with DEET and be sure to follow the manufacturer's recommendations

·        Reduce or eliminate pools of standing water where mosquitoes can live and breed such as rain barrels, ponds, birdbaths, pool covers, boats or canoes, old tires and flowerpots.

For more information visit our web site at www.publichealthgreybruce.on.ca or call Public Health at 1-800-263-3456.

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For more information:

Dr. Hazel Lynn

Medical Officer of Health

Grey Bruce Health Unit

(519) 376-9420 or 1-800-263-2345