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West Nile Virus

© Mary M. Alward

Last year, West Nile Virus arrived in southern Ontario. We were warned to report dead crows and other birds to the Humane Society. They came out and picked them up and sent them to a lab to be tested for the virus. Crows were identified as being carriers of the deadly disease. Health Canada issued a warning. Dead birds were not to be touched.

West Nile Virus is carried by mosquitoes, which has fed on the blood of infected birds. It is a member of the virus “Flaviveridae.” It can cause such diseases as yellow fever, encephalitis and Dengue fever.

West Nile has been around since 1937. It was discovered in the West Nile region of Uganda. The virus came to North America in 1999, when an outbreak occurred in New York City. It took only three years to reach Canada. The countries of Egypt, South Africa and Israel have also had outbreaks. Asia and Europe have been affected as well.

No one is sure why or how West Nile is spread. One theory is that migrating birds carry the virus from one country to another. The largest outbreak on record was in North America in 2002, which makes it possible that an even larger incident of the virus will occur this year.

Humans get West Nile Virus and it can be fatal if not treated properly. Humans are usually diagnosed after being bit by a mosquito. Once a mosquito has fed on an infected bird, it takes two weeks before it can pass West Nile to humans and animals. It may be possible that West Nile can be passed through its larvae to babies. Researchers are still looking at this possibility.

It is now believed that West Nile can be passed through blood transfusions, mother’s milk and through organ or tissue transplants. These possibilities make it essential that all organ and tissue donors be screened for West Nile. The Canadian Red Cross must also look for this virus when people donate blood. Researchers believe that West Nile is not air borne and cannot be passed by kissing someone who has it. Furthermore, they don’t believe it can be passed to humans by pets.

West Nile Virus is easily passed to humans with chronic disease or weak immune systems. People of all ages are at risk, but complications are greater for the elderly. The symptoms of West Nile are usually mild. In some cases there are no symptoms at all. If symptoms appear, it will be within two to fifteen days of being bitten by a mosquito. Mild rash, swollen glands, headache, fever and other flu-like symptoms may indicate a West Nile infection. In other cases, symptoms may be more severe. Stiff neck, vomiting, fatigue, paralysis, loss of consciousness and muscle weakness can occur. West Nile can also cause encephalitis and meningitis. These symptoms indicate that you should seek professional medical advice immediately.

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