NLIS 8
May 16, 2005
(Health and Community Services)
(Natural Resources)
West Nile virus surveillance plans
announced for 2005
The provincial government is continuing its
surveillance for West Nile virus for another year. As in past years, the public
is requested to notify the conservation officer in their local area should they
see any dead crows, ravens, blue jays or grey jays. These birds will be picked
up and submitted for West Nile virus testing. The program started May 15 and
ends at the first killing frost in the fall.
So far, there has not been any indication that this disease has reached this
province; however, research currently being carried out in cooperation with
Memorial University has identified for the first time in this province the type
of mosquitoes that can carry the virus. That means the potential exists for the
spread of the infection to birds, animals and humans. Though the province�s
climate does not encourage the spread of this disease, officials remain vigilant
through the surveillance program.
Research into these mosquitoes will increase this summer, again in cooperation
with Memorial University, through its St. John�s and Corner Brook campuses. As
the discovery of the new mosquito species was on the island�s west coast, new
areas will be examined to determine how widespread these mosquitoes are.
The surveillance work in this province is part of a national surveillance effort
that is being carried out jointly by federal and provincial public health and
animal health agencies, including the Public Health Agency of Canada, the
Canadian Cooperative Wildlife Health Centre, the provincial departments of
Health and Community Services and Natural Resources.
"Though we have now found mosquitoes that can spread the disease, we believe our
risks are still quite low," said Dr. Hugh Whitney, Provincial Veterinarian. "A
number of factors have to come into play for us to see reported cases of the
disease. The mosquitoes need extended periods of warm weather before they can
successfully spread the disease."
Dr. Faith Stratton, Chief Medical Officer of Health commented: "While we have no
evidence at this time that the West Nile virus exists in the province, public
health staff will be monitoring for signs of WNV infection, particularly for
persons who have traveled to areas where the infection is known to exist."
For further information, please consult our Web site at
www.gov.nl.ca/agric under Animal
Diseases, or contact:
Dr. Hugh Whitney
Provincial Veterinarian
Department of Natural Resources
(709) 729-6879
Dr. Faith Stratton
Chief Medical Officer of Health
Department of Health and Community Services
(709) 729-3430
Media contacts:
Carmel Turpin, Natural Resources, (709) 729-5282, 685-4624
Carolyn Chaplin, Health and Community Services, (709) 729-1377, 682-5093
2005 05 16
3:20 p.m. |