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Public Information
Health Care Providers
News Media
Text Only Version
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IN THIS ISSUE
 WNv Surveillance in Ontario
The purpose of the WNv Bulletins is to provide a summary of the results of the various surveillance activities in Ontario for the current year. This issue will update WNv findings elsewhere in Canada and in the U.S.
WNv Activities in Ontario for the Year 2001
Human Encephalitis Surveillance
Health Canada has asked that key health care providers, including family and emergency room physicians, infectious disease specialists and neurologists, monitor their patients for symptoms of WNv in 2001. These health care professionals are being asked to promptly report any probable and confirmed cases of viral encephalitis to local/provincial public health authorities. REMINDER
Mosquito Surveillance in Ontario
The Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care (MOHLTC) has requested the assistance of six health units to take part in a mosquito surveillance program which began in early August, 2001. The six health units are Eastern Ontario, Leeds, Hastings, Toronto, Hamilton, and Niagara. As WNv activity was identified in birds, mosquito surveillance began in Windsor, Halton, Peel, Toronto (provided additional traps) and Chatham-Kent.
Dead Bird Surveillance
This bulletin summarizes information up to, and including, the 35th week of the Dead Bird Surveillance season (Week 35 = Aug 27 to 31, 2001). There have been a total of 2,943 reported dead bird sightings and/or submissions. Of these 2,943 birds, 1,689 were picked up and sent to the lab in Guelph for WNv testing ('pick-ups'), of which 1,038 were submitted for testing at the national laboratory in Winnipeg ('Submissions'). Maps stating the number of dead bird submissions to the lab will be provided weekly to health units.
Figure 1. Ontario Reported Number of WNV Surveillance Program Dead Birds
Data Source : Canadian Cooperative Wildlife Health Centre, Health Canada August 30, 2001 Note :
Figure 2. Types of Ontario Dead Birds Reported in 2001 Season as of August 30, 2001 
Figure 3. Total Number of Dead Bird Reports in 2001 by Ontario Health Units as of Aug 30, 2001 Note ** 'PickUps' are health unit submissions to the lab in Guelph, whereas 'Submissions' refer to dead birds sent to the lab in Winnipeg for Federal WNv Testing.  Data Source : Canadian Cooperative Wildlife Health Centre & Health Canada (August 16, 2001)
Other News
Worldwide Geographic Distribution
WNv has been described worldwide and is no longer limited to African and Eurasia. North American Geographic Distribution The American media has paid much attention to state health departments and local units with respect to their choices regarding the spraying of chemical pesticides. Figure 4. Number of birds, mosquito pools, horses and humans that have tested positive for WNv in the USA, 2001. 
U.S. National Maps
Maps of the United States WNv Surveillance Programs can be accessed through the United States Geological Survey : Center for Integration of Natural Disaster Information (CINDI) Web site.
Maps
Acknowledgements
The contribution of the following agencies and individuals in the publication of this year's issues of the WNv Bulletin is greatly appreciated :
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Comments, questions and suggestions about surveillance results in this bulletin should be directed to : Dr. Dean Middleton, Veterinary Consultant, Disease Control Service, Tel: 416-327-7422, E-mail : dean.middleton@moh.gov.on.ca | |
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