News Release                   For Immediate Release

September 15, 2004

Second Bird Positive for West Nile Virus in Grey-Bruce Area This Year

BRUCE COUNTY - The Public Health Unit reports that a crow, submitted for testing last week, tested positive for West Nile Virus.   The bird was found in the Lion’s Head area.  It is the second bird that tested positive for the virus in the Grey-Bruce area this year.  Last year, four birds were confirmed positive with the West Nile virus. 

West Nile Virus is transmitted to humans by mosquitoes.  Mosquitoes 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 second blood meal. 

The last 2 weeks of August and the first 2 weeks of September are when the risk of being bitten by an infected mosquito and contracting the virus is the highest.  About 80% of people who contract WNv have no symptoms and the majority of those who do become ill report flu-like symptoms like headache, muscle weakness and fatigue.  Symptoms generally disappear in 3 to 5 days.  In a small number of cases, more severe symptoms can occur including inflammation of the brain and, on rare occasions, death.

“What’s important is that West Nile virus has not been found in any mosquitoes in Grey and Bruce Counties, since mosquito surveillance began in 2003,” says Dr. Hazel Lynn, Medical Officer of Health for Grey-Bruce. 

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.

To report dead crows or blue jays, call Public Health at 1-800-263-3456.  For more information visit our web site at www.publichealthgreybruce.on.ca

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For more information:

Chris Munn

Program Manager, West Nile Virus Program

Grey Bruce Health Unit

(519) 376-9420 or 1-800-263-3456