NEWMARKET – The Regional Municipality of York West Nile virus bird surveillance program begins today. Residents are asked to report dead crows and blue jays to help determine possible West Nile virus activity in York Region.

Like in humans, West Nile virus is transmitted to the bird population by infected mosquitoes. Crows, blue jays and other birds are known to be most susceptible to the disease and act as early warning signs for the presence of the virus in a particular area.

In 2007, York Region had one confirmed human case of West Nile virus, one bird tested positive for West Nile virus and no mosquito pools tested positive for West Nile virus.

Residents are advised to report dead crows and blue jays to the York Region Community and Health Services Health Connection information line at 1-800-361-5653. Suitable specimens may be collected and submitted to the Canadian Co-operative Wildlife Health Centre in Guelph for testing.

• Suitable specimens: A suitable specimen must be a crow or blue jay that has died less than 24 hours prior to collection. These birds may be collected by York Region public health and sent for testing.

• Unsuitable specimens: Most dead birds will not be suitable for testing, but knowing what species they are and where they died is important information. Do not handle birds with bare hands or dispose of dead birds through the municipal garbage system. If you choose to handle a dead bird, wear rubber gloves, double bag the bird and contact Health Connection for pick-up.

• Dead bird pick-up service is available: Please contact Health Connection for pickup of dead birds of any species.

The chances of being bitten by an infected mosquito are rare. In fact, for the very few who are bitten, most do not even know it. Approximately four out of five people infected by West Nile virus do not show any symptoms or signs of illness at all.

The symptoms for West Nile virus illness consist of fever, muscle weakness, stiff neck, confusion, severe headache and a sudden sensitivity to light. For a very rare few, the virus causes serious neurological illness, including encephalitis (inflammation of the brain).

See the attached York Region’s 2008 West Nile virus Control Plan Fact Sheet for simple, common sense precautions that should be taken.

For more information on The Regional Municipality of York, please visit www.york.ca