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West Nile virus (WNv) is a mosquito-borne infection, usually spread between mosquitoes and birds. Mosquitoes can become carriers of the virus after biting birds carrying the virus. It is possible for humans, horses and other animals to become infected.
People become infected mostly from bites by mosquitoes carrying the virus.
Most people (about 80 per cent of those infected with WNv) will not get sick at all. About 20 per cent of people will have a mild to moderate illness that starts 3-14 days after being infected.
Symptoms may include fever, headache, body aches, fatigue, swollen lymph glands and sometimes a rash on the body. These symptoms generally last about a week, but they can last longer.
In rare cases - less than 1 per cent - WNv infection can result in more serious illnesses such as meningitis (inflammation of the lining of the brain), encephalitis (inflammation of the brain), or polio-like paralysis. People who have one of these more serious illnesses may also have high fever, severe headache, confusion and weakness. In very rare cases, it can result in death. If you develop a severe headache or neck stiffness for which you cannot find a cause, or other symptoms of WNv, contact your doctor.
Many of the symptoms and complications of WNv can be treated, although there is no specific treatment, medication or cure. Most people who are infected with WNv get better, but it may take a long time to recover fully. There is no human vaccine for WNv at this time.
West Nile virus is found in many parts of Africa, Western Asia and the northern Mediterranean area.
The first outbreak of WNv in North America was in 1999. WNv has been found in birds, mosquitoes and horses, as well as people in most US states and across western Canada.
West Nile virus has spread across North America since 1999. There are many species of mosquitoes but only a small number of these can carry and transmit the virus. The mosquitoes that can carry WNv are present in B.C. Public health officials will notify the public of the risk if birds or mosquitoes are found in the province carrying the virus. The risk may vary by region of the province during the summer, and it will depend on climate conditions.
Any activity that prevents mosquitoes from biting or breeding will help to reduce the risk of infection with WNv. There are many simple things that you can do to protect yourself from WNv:
Many types of birds can be infected with WNv, however, birds in the corvid family, such as crows, ravens, jays (such as Steller's jays, blue jays, grey jays) and magpies, are very sensitive and likely to die from the virus. Officials test dead corvids to find out if WNv has moved into an area.
Some health authorities have programs in place for collecting and testing samples of dead corvids. The public can report dead crows to the local health authority. If you have questions about how dead crows or other birds are being collected in your area, please contact your local health authority.
Dead bird sightings can also be reported on the BC Centre for Disease Control website at http://www.bccdc.ca/dis-cond/a-z/_w/WestNileVirus/Surveillance/WNvDeadBirdReporting.htm. While not all birds reported on the website will be picked up for testing, health authorities will be tracking the number of dead crows reported to help assess the risk of WNv.
While the risk of infection from handling birds is very low, the public should not handle wild birds or other animals, dead or alive, with their bare hands. If you need to move a dead bird, the following precautions should be taken:
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