West Nile virus planning

VANCOUVER – Environmental Health Officers across the province have begun monitoring mosquito traps and testing dead crows for the West Nile virus (WNv). The disease has not yet arrived in British Columbia.

“We’re monitoring surface water and catch basins for mosquito larvae in communities in the Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH) region, just as we’ve been doing for the last few years,” said Dr. John Blatherwick, Chief Medical Health Officer. “And we’re coordinating with the BC Centre for Disease Control to gather dead birds for testing.”

Birds in the crow family – jays, magpies and ravens – have proven to be a sentinel species across Canada and the United States, meaning WNV showed up in these birds 6 to 12 weeks before a human case is diagnosed.

WNv is a bird-borne infection spread by mosquitoes, which become infected when they bite an infected bird. Humans become infected when bitten by an infected mosquito. Last year Alberta reported 24 human cases, and south of the border, Montana, Idaho, and Washington reported over 1000 combined human cases.

The majority of people who do become infected won’t get sick, or even display symptoms notes Dr. Blatherwick. “When the infection does cause illness, symptoms generally appear within two to 15 days. In mild cases, people may have flu-like symptoms, including fever, headache and body aches.” Less than one percent of people who are infected may develop more serious illness that may include nervous system complications.

VCH will advise the public if bird or mosquito testing does identify WNv in BC. In the meantime you can help reduce mosquito breeding and avoid mosquito bites by practicing the 4Ds:

• Drain standing water around your property and business. Mosquitoes can breed in as little as a tablespoon of water, so refresh pools, fountains and birdbaths every few days.
• Dusk to dawn is a time period to avoid being outside, as mosquitoes are most actively biting during this time.
• Dress appropriately. If you are outside where mosquitoes are active, wear longsleeved shirts and pants, socks and shoes.
• Deter mosquitoes from biting by using repellents that contain DEET (N-diethylmtoluamide). Use only insect repellents that are registered in Canada, and be sure to use the appropriate dosage.

VCH is asking the public to participate in surveillance programs by reporting dead crows to the Environmental Health office in your community. In order to be collected the dead bird must be intact, and cannot bear any sign of damage or decomposition. The numbers to call are as follows:

• Vancouver 604.675.3800
• Richmond 604.233.3147
• North Shore 604.983.6700
• Squamish 604.892.2293
• Coast Garibaldi 1.877.892.223

Only those birds that are freshly dead (within hours) and undamaged will be picked up. Those not suitable for collection should be wrapped in plastic and discarded or buried.

For more information about the West Nile virus, go to www.vch.ca/public/west_nile/ or http://www.bccdc.org/content.php?item=183. For information on symptoms and illness contact BC NurseLine at 604.215.4700, or toll free 1.866.215.4700.

VCH is responsible for the delivery of $2 billion in community, hospital and residential care services to over one million people in communities from Richmond through Vancouver, the North Shore, Sunshine Coast, Sea to Sky corridor, Powell River, Bella Bella and Bella Coola.

Media contact

Vancouver Coastal Health
Laurie Dawkins
Director, Public Affairs
Tel: 604.708.5213