NLIS 1
May 23, 2003
(Forest Resources and Agrifoods)
(Health and Community Services)

 

Province to participate in West Nile Virus surveillance program

The provincial departments of Forest Resources and Agrifoods and Health and Community Services, in cooperation with the federal government and Canadian veterinary colleges, will again this year be participating in surveillance efforts to monitor for the presence of West Nile Virus during the mosquito season this summer.

The West Nile Virus, which is spread through the bite of infected mosquitoes, was reported in five Canadian provinces last summer, including Nova Scotia, Quebec, Ontario, Manitoba and Saskatchewan, and is expected to spread further this year.

Provincial veterinarian Dr. Hugh Whitney said Newfoundland and Labrador may be free from the risk of this disease, due to the absence of those mosquito species considered important for its spread, however monitoring will be done as a precautionary measure.

"Though we consider the risk of this disease being found in our province to be small, there is still a lot unknown about its spread so monitoring and research is still important," said Dr. Whitney.

The most important method for detecting the presence of this disease is to test individuals of the crow family that may be found sick or dead. Dr. Whitney advises that anyone who finds dead crows, ravens, blue jays or grey jays should contact their local conservation officer with the Department of Forest Resources and Agrifoods and arrangements will be made for pickup and submission for testing.

"It is also important to keep in mind that if a dead bird is picked up, it should not be directly handled. It should be picked up through the wall of a plastic bag, using the bag as a glove, and then the bag tied up," he said.

Dr. Faith Stratton, chief medical officer of health, says anyone travelling to the United States or mainland Canada should take precautionary measures to protect against mosquito bites. "I would suggest that people limit their time outdoors at dawn and dusk when mosquitos are most active. They should also wear long-sleeve shirts, long pants and apply a mosquito repellent, such as DEET, to exposed skin when mosquito bites are likely," she said.

Media contact:
          Dr. Hugh Whitney, Forest Resources and Agrifoods, (709) 729-6879
          Diane Keough, Health and Community Services, (709) 729-1377

2003 05 23                                       9:00 a.m.


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