Health unit changes West Nile Virus program

North Bay Parry Sound District Health Unit
News Release

************************

In 2009, health units across Ontario will no longer collect birds for West Nile Virus (WNV) surveillance. The North Bay Parry Sound District Health Unit has stopped their bird reporting line as well. The purpose of collecting birds was to track WNv activity throughout Ontario. Since we now know all of Ontario has WNv activity, collecting birds is no longer needed.

The Health Unit will focus their efforts in 2009 on mosquito surveillance. As in past years, this information will be used to estimate mosquito populations and infection rates of mosquitoes to determine the risk to human health.

If you do find a dead bird in your yard, you may dispose of it yourself using the following precautions:
• Put on gloves or use a shovel
• Double bag the bird
• Dispose of it in your regular garbage pickup
• Wash your hands properly after handling any dead animal, as they can be carriers of other parasites and diseases.

The Canadian Cooperative Wildlife Service is accepting reports of dead birds from the public. If you find a dead bird, you can contact them at 1-866-673-4781. They will then determine if the specimen is suitable for testing. There is no charge for this service.

Remember, you get WNv from the bite of an infected mosquito, not by handling a dead bird. For more information on WNv, visit www.healthunit.biz.

************************