August 26, 2009
COLDSTREAM, BC – The first West Nile virus (WNv) infected mosquito pool and the first human WNv cases in British Columbia were reported by the BC Centre for Disease Control this weekend. The positive mosquito pool was collected in the Southern Okanagan and two individuals from the Kelowna area are being investigated with possible infections. These are the first ever cases of WNv detected in British Columbia and the first cases reported so far this year in Canada.
WNv is spread through the bites of infected mosquitoes. The risk of serious illness from WNv is low; however simple measures can help prevent mosquito bites and reduce the numbers of mosquitoes in an area:
- Individuals should apply insect repellents containing DEET (10% for children and up to 30% for adults), wear loose, light colored clothing when outdoors including long-sleeved pants and shirts and avoid mosquito-laden areas at dawn and dusk.
- Tight fitting screens should be installed on doors and windows.
- Individuals should eliminate or regularly change any sources of stagnant water around their 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. Humans cannot get the virus directly from birds nor can humans pass this virus from one person to the next. About two out of every 10 people infected by a mosquito develop WNv symptoms such as fever, aches, nausea and vomiting. About 1 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.
A mosquito control contractor (BWP Consulting Inc) for the Regional District of the North Okanagan (RDNO) is currently monitoring stagnant water known to produce mosquito larvae within the RDNO Electoral Areas. This company also provides similar services to the municipalities of Spallumcheen, Coldstream and Enderby. When larvae are present they are being treated with a biological larvicide that is harmless to other insects and animals. As it is late in the season, many sites have dried up and mosquito adult and larval numbers have decreased throughout the Regional District.
The Interior Health Authority and the BC Centre for Disease Control are currently monitoring for the presence of the virus by collecting and testing mosquitoes and birds throughout the southern Okanagan and the southern Kootenay. People in the RDNO can report sightings of dead crows, ravens, magpies or jays by calling the Interior Health Authority West Nile Virus Information Line at 1-866-300-0520 or by accessing the BCCDC On-Line Dead Bird Sighting Report Form at http://westnile.bccdc.org.
For more information about WNv or mosquito control, please visit www.bccdc.ca or contact the RDNO mosquito control contractor, BWP Consulting Inc., at 250-819-1750 or BWP@shaw.ca.
For more information:
Nicole Kohnert, P. Eng.
Manager of Environmental Services
Regional District of North Okanagan
250-550-3741
Cheryl Phippen
BWP Consulting Inc.
250-819-1750
