Sault Star Health Vault Feature

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Measles is on everyone’s radar these days, but, in 2001, it was the sometimes-fatal West Nile virus that was all the talk and front and centre for Algoma Health Unit, as it was called then. Here is Jeffrey Ougler’s story as it appeared in the Aug. 25, 2001 edition of The Sault Star. 

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West Nile virus has not been detected in Algoma District, says the region’s medical officer of health.

Dr. Allan Northan, of the Algoma Health Unit, said Friday 11 dead birds — mostly crows and blue jays — have been probed over the past few weeks with none testing positive for the infection.

However, Northan does caution the virus could eventually travel north, considering its rapid spread throughout the United States and subsequent appearances in Windsor, Ont., and most recently in Oakville. A dead blue jay discovered there two weeks ago was confirmed Friday as another victim of the virus.

”The thing is, it shows it is able to spread fairly quickly from one location to another,” Northan said.

”So chances are probably not this year because we’re almost into autumn and through our mosquito season, but toward going into next year and subsequent years it will be more of a potential (problem) for us.”

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West Nile virus, which can be transmitted to humans through mosquito bites, can be fatal, especially to the elderly or those with weak immune systems.

But fatalities are rare.

In most cases, people bitten by a mosquito carrying the disease often experience flu-like symptoms to varying degrees. Most will have a mild reaction, a rare few will develop an inflammation of the brain which can lead to death.

Nine people have died from the virus since 1999 in New York and New Jersey, and an Atlanta woman died this month. On Thursday, The District of Columbia reported a sharp increase in birds testing positive for the virus. So far this year, 46 dead crows have been identified there with the disease — compared to just five during all of last year.

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The West Nile virus could make the leap from birds to humans but Canadian doctors say the chances are fairly slim. Hospitals across Ontario have received information on the virus from local health departments, and receive constant updates on new discoveries of positive birds.

Northan said it’s important for people to begin practicing ”mosquito control” now so that should the virus appear here, they’ll be that much more prepared.

This includes ensuring screens on doors are intact, dressing properly — long-sleeved shirts, especially in the evenings when the insects are most abundant — and not leaving water around to become stagnant, fertile ground for mosquito breeding.

”If you have water in an old tire or a tin can or in a swimming pool that just sits idle, this can be a (mosquito) breeding ground,” Northan said.

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”They’re the things people should be thinking about now, not so much because there’s a real risk, but it’s sort of an education that people should get into the habit so that if in future years we do have a problem with West Nile virus, that people are thinking how to keep themselves protected from mosquitoes.”

Officials from Health Canada are among a team of field scientists in Windsor to trap, identify and count mosquitoes in an effort to monitor the spread of the disease.

It’s expected to take two to four weeks to complete the mosquito collection. Mosquitoes in Toronto, Windsor, Hamilton and the regions of Hastings-Prince Edward, Leeds-Grenville-Lanark, Peel, Niagara and Halton are also being tested for the virus.

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The U.S. Geological Survey National Wildlife Health Centre has said that between 150 and 200 birds have tested positive in 2001, with six cases in humans and one death.

The mosquito factor could be that much more profound in forest rich Northern Ontario, where many people venture into the wilderness during summer for both recreation and work.

”That’s not a factor right now because the virus really isn’t here and certainly isn’t prevalent even where it has been found,” Northan said.

”But I guess in the future, if (West Nile) becomes more prevalent (here), obviously being outdoors and having lots of mosquitoes around and being at risk for mosquito bites would pose a different risk than say an urban area where mosquito control is probably easier to do.

”Potentially, that could be an interesting part of the whole equation.”

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