Case of West Nile Virus identified in crow reported in PHU area

Timmins, Ontario — Wednesday, August 28, 2024. 

The Porcupine Health Unit has been notified that a crow has tested positive for West Nile virus (WNv). Although the risk to the public is low, the Porcupine Health Unit felt it was important to share the result and will continue to monitor for WNv.

“Health Unit staff actively monitor West Nile virus in mosquitoes in various locations within our district in the summer and the risk of acquiring West Nile virus during seasonal weather remains low,” says Kaitlin McCaw, Public Health Inspector at the Porcupine Health Unit.

This crow is the first report of a bird found locally to test positive for the virus within the Porcupine Health Unit district since 2019. Prior to this, the last positive bird reported in our area was in 2006. In addition, monitored mosquito pools have been WNv negative since 2006 and there have been no confirmed human cases of WNv reported in the district.

According to McCaw, the virus is spread to humans and animals by the bite of an infected mosquito but being bitten by an infected mosquito will not necessarily cause symptoms. While the majority of people (80%) who become infected with West Nile Virus do not become ill, those who do usually experience mild flu-like symptoms. McCaw adds that, “Less than 1% of people infected with the virus become seriously ill. We recommended that you seek medical attention if feeling unwell.”

McCaw concluded by saying that more WNv prevention tips can be found on the Mosquitoes and West Nile Virus webpage.