Still No Sign of West Nile in B.C.

By 250 News

Prince George, B.C. - Another year, another season free of any signs of West Nile  virus.

Northern Health is now reporting that in addition to obtaining samples from mosquito pools across the north, Northern Health also solicited the public’s help in reporting sightings of dead corvids (ravens, crows, magpies and jays) which can be an indicator of the arrival of WNv.

The following table shows the number of  submissions to the  B.C. Centre for Disease Control.

The mosquito season may be long over, but Northern Health's Regional Director  for  Public Health Protection, Lucy Beck,  says we should be cautious “Still, it’s important that people are aware of the potential risk when traveling outside the province, and to know that personal protection is the best way to avoid infection.”

To date, there has been no WNv activity originating in British Columbia and the North. WNv surveillance is expected to continue in 2008. If there are any confirmed cases of West Nile Virus originating in the North, Northern Health will alert the public.

West Nile Virus is a disease that is passed from infected birds to people via mosquitoes. While the risk is low, West Nile virus can cause serious, and sometimes long-term, health effects.

About 1 in 5 people bitten by an infected mosquito will experience symptoms like:

• Fever
• Muscle weakness
• Stiff neck
• Confusion
• Severe headache
• Sudden sensitivity to light

In some cases, these symptoms can last for months, and in a small number of cases, more serious complications or even death can occur.

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