Tonka
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First-ever B.C. cases of West Nile
Published: August 25, 2009 1:00 PM
Updated: August 25, 2009 1:30 PM
0 Comments The first mosquito and human cases of the West Nile virus (WNv) have been detected in B.C.
The BC Centre for Disease Control confirmed this past weekend a positive mosquito pool was collected in the Southern Okanagan and two people from the Kelowna area are being investigated with possible infections.
These are the first-ever cases of WNv detected in B.C. and the first cases reported so far this year in Canada.
?This doesn?t really come as a surprise,? said Perry Kendall, B.C. provincial health officer.
?We have been anticipating the arrival of West Nile virus in our province for several years now, especially considering that infection has been widely reported in humans and animals in several provinces across Canada and the United States in recent years, including provinces and states bordering B.C.
?The important things to note are that B.C. has a robust mosquito and West Nile virus surveillance system and that people can take common sense precautions to protect themselves from mosquito bites.?
Last year, the Thompson-Nicola Regional District began conducting a larval-control program for WNv, with the goal of reducing the numbers of Culex species of mosquitoes within the TNRD as if WNv has already arrived in the area, including surveillance traps to collect specimens and monitor for the presence of WNv.
Although precautionary measures are being taken, the public must be aware personal protection using Deet is the best way to reduce the possibility of contracting WNv.
The Interior Health Authority and the BC Centre for Disease Control are monitoring for the presence of the virus by collecting and testing mosquitoes and birds throughout the southern Okanagan and the southern Kootenay.
Since 1999, when WNv ? spread seasonally through the bites of infected mosquitoes ? was first identified in North America, the virus has caused nearly 29,000 cases of human illness, including more than 1,100 deaths.
The risk of serious illness from WNv is low and simple measures can help prevent mosquito bites and reduce the numbers of mosquitoes in an area:
n Individuals should apply insect repellents containing DEET (10 per cent for children and up to 30 per cent for adults);
n Wear loose, light coloured clothing when outdoors, including long-sleeved pants and shirts;
n Avoid mosquito-laden areas at dawn and dusk;
n Tight-fitting screens should be installed on doors and windows;
n Eliminate or regularly change any sources of stagnant water around properties as mosquito larvae will develop in the smallest pool of water.
Likely mosquito breeding grounds include the saucers under flower pots, wading pools, used tires and clogged eaves troughs.
Mosquitoes become infected with WNv when they feed on infected birds and the virus may be transmitted when an infected mosquito bites a human. However, humans cannot get the virus directly from birds nor can humans pass this virus from one person to the next.
About two of every 10 people bit by an infected mosquito develop WNv symptoms, such as fever, aches, nausea and vomiting. About one in 150 people infected with WNv develop more serious symptoms such as paralysis, extreme headache and, in rare cases, death.
Although people of any age can become severely ill, the risk is highest for persons age 50 and over.
People in the TNRD can report sightings of dead crows, ravens, magpies or jays by calling the IHA information line at 1-866-300-0520 or by accessing an online form at westnile.bccdc.org.
For more information about WNv, mosquito control or public education events, visit tnrd.bc.ca/mosquito/tnrd_mosquito/index.php or call the TNRD mosquito advisory line at 250-372-5700.
First-ever B.C. cases of West Nile
Published: August 25, 2009 1:00 PM
Updated: August 25, 2009 1:30 PM
0 Comments The first mosquito and human cases of the West Nile virus (WNv) have been detected in B.C.
The BC Centre for Disease Control confirmed this past weekend a positive mosquito pool was collected in the Southern Okanagan and two people from the Kelowna area are being investigated with possible infections.
These are the first-ever cases of WNv detected in B.C. and the first cases reported so far this year in Canada.
?This doesn?t really come as a surprise,? said Perry Kendall, B.C. provincial health officer.
?We have been anticipating the arrival of West Nile virus in our province for several years now, especially considering that infection has been widely reported in humans and animals in several provinces across Canada and the United States in recent years, including provinces and states bordering B.C.
?The important things to note are that B.C. has a robust mosquito and West Nile virus surveillance system and that people can take common sense precautions to protect themselves from mosquito bites.?
Last year, the Thompson-Nicola Regional District began conducting a larval-control program for WNv, with the goal of reducing the numbers of Culex species of mosquitoes within the TNRD as if WNv has already arrived in the area, including surveillance traps to collect specimens and monitor for the presence of WNv.
Although precautionary measures are being taken, the public must be aware personal protection using Deet is the best way to reduce the possibility of contracting WNv.
The Interior Health Authority and the BC Centre for Disease Control are monitoring for the presence of the virus by collecting and testing mosquitoes and birds throughout the southern Okanagan and the southern Kootenay.
Since 1999, when WNv ? spread seasonally through the bites of infected mosquitoes ? was first identified in North America, the virus has caused nearly 29,000 cases of human illness, including more than 1,100 deaths.
The risk of serious illness from WNv is low and simple measures can help prevent mosquito bites and reduce the numbers of mosquitoes in an area:
n Individuals should apply insect repellents containing DEET (10 per cent for children and up to 30 per cent for adults);
n Wear loose, light coloured clothing when outdoors, including long-sleeved pants and shirts;
n Avoid mosquito-laden areas at dawn and dusk;
n Tight-fitting screens should be installed on doors and windows;
n Eliminate or regularly change any sources of stagnant water around properties as mosquito larvae will develop in the smallest pool of water.
Likely mosquito breeding grounds include the saucers under flower pots, wading pools, used tires and clogged eaves troughs.
Mosquitoes become infected with WNv when they feed on infected birds and the virus may be transmitted when an infected mosquito bites a human. However, humans cannot get the virus directly from birds nor can humans pass this virus from one person to the next.
About two of every 10 people bit by an infected mosquito develop WNv symptoms, such as fever, aches, nausea and vomiting. About one in 150 people infected with WNv develop more serious symptoms such as paralysis, extreme headache and, in rare cases, death.
Although people of any age can become severely ill, the risk is highest for persons age 50 and over.
People in the TNRD can report sightings of dead crows, ravens, magpies or jays by calling the IHA information line at 1-866-300-0520 or by accessing an online form at westnile.bccdc.org.
For more information about WNv, mosquito control or public education events, visit tnrd.bc.ca/mosquito/tnrd_mosquito/index.php or call the TNRD mosquito advisory line at 250-372-5700.
