West Nile virus not detected in province

The provincial West Nile virus surveillance program this year has confirmed the disease has not reached Newfoundland and Labrador. Due to the cooling weather and the absence of any indication of the disease, the surveillance program has now ended for this year.

This is the fifth year this province, in cooperation with Health Canada and other national organizations, has been monitoring for the possible entry of West Nile virus. The surveillance program included the collection and testing of crows, ravens, blue jays and grey jays throughout the summer. The West Nile virus can be transmitted to humans through the bite of a mosquito which has become infected with the virus from feeding on an infected bird.

"While there have been no cases of human West Nile virus infection in this province, it is important to monitor for any presence of the virus in mosquitoes, birds and other animals during the summer season," said Dr. Faith Stratton, chief medical officer of health. "This provides an indication of the risk for human infection."

"We have been monitoring the movement of this disease through birds and mosquitoes across North America," added Dr. Hugh Whitney, provincial veterinarian. "We are also cooperating with Memorial University to establish whether we have the right mosquito species here to allow the disease to enter and spread. Though we are only in the first year of this research, we have not yet identified any mosquitoes that suggest a concern for our residents."

The province will continue to monitor this disease until such time as it is well understood how far it can spread in North America and what level of risk is expected for residents here. Bird testing will start up again next spring.

"Although the program has ended for this year, the public is still encouraged to continue reporting any abnormal deaths in birds or other wildlife to their local conservation officer, as this can help with the monitoring of other diseases as well," said Dr. Whitney.

Media contacts:

Carmel Turpin, Communications, (709)729-5282, (709)685-4624
Dr. Hugh Whitney, provincial veterinarian, (709)729-6879
Dr. Faith Stratton, chief medical officer of health, (709)729-3430

2004 09 30             3:50 p.m.