News Release                                                

                                                                                                                          For Immediate Release

                                                                                                                          May 22, 2009

West Nile Program Ends Bird Collection

Public Health is no longer collecting birds for the West Nile Virus Program. If you find a dead bird, you do not need to call Public Health. Double bag the bird and place it in your garbage for pick-up or bury the carcass at least two feet deep in an area that will not be disturbed. Do not bury in vegetable gardens. Make sure to wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water after handling a dead bird. 

Since 2002, Public Health has asked residents of Grey Bruce to report dead birds so they could be tested for West Nile virus (WNv). Information on “positive” birds was used to plan activities to reduce the risk of human infection. 

Positive birds have been found in Grey Bruce every year since 2002. As WNv is here to stay, it is no longer necessary to monitor dead birds. Public Health will continue other activities to reduce the risk of WNv. 

WNv is mainly a disease of birds but it can spread to humans through the bite of an infected mosquito. Most people who get WNv have mild symptoms or no symptoms at all, but some people can have very serious symptoms in their nervous system. 

Though you no longer need to report dead birds, it is still important to protect yourself and your family from WNv:

• Avoid mosquito bites – wear long-sleeved, light coloured clothing and apply insect repellent according to manufacturer’s instructions.
• Minimize mosquitoes – mosquitoes lay their eggs in still water, so make sure that water does not collect in containers or puddles in your yard.

For more information, call Public Health at 519-376-9420 or 1-800-263-3456 or visit our website at www.publichealthgreybruce.on.ca.

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For more information:

Susan Shular

Manager, West Nile Virus Program

Grey Bruce Health Unit

519-376-9420 or 1-800-263-3456 ext. 1231