West Nile expected to arrive shortly

West Nile expected to arrive shortly
By Dan Hilborn, Burnaby Now assistant editor
Published June 7, 2003

West Nile virus will definitely arrive in the Lower Mainland this summer, but it's less deadly than many people imagine, and there are easy steps you can take to reduce your risk of contracting the disease.

So says Larry Percival, the manager of communicable disease control in the Fraser Health Authority and the man responsible for keeping tabs on the virus that is spread by common mosquitoes.

"Yes, West Nile virus is a concern," Percival said this week. "Based on the experience we've seen in Eastern Canada and the U.S.A., over the next three years we can anticipate between six and 25 deaths (from the virus) in the Fraser Health Authority.

"And yes, that's significant, when a lot of it can be prevented."

Percival, who works out of FHA offices in Chilliwack, said the best way to avoid the disease is to use the bug repellent Deet, wear long sleeves when out early in the morning or at dusk, keep your screen doors and windows closed and remove any pools of stagnant water, such as unused garden pots.

Percival admits the chances of getting West Nile are quite small, but the health region wants to make sure that everyone knows how to battle the disease.

"In Ontario last year, people felt the government did not tell them adequately what the risks were. There, a number of people did advance to severe neurological problems and several of them died," he says.

"This is the first time in Canada we've had mosquitoes carrying a disease."

In terms of fighting the disease, Percival said mosquito control programs have been strengthened in virtually all of the 22 member municipalities of the FHA, which stretches from Boston Bar to Burnaby.

The region is actively trapping mosquitoes to test them for the virus and is collecting dead crows because those birds are far more susceptible to the disease than people.

The health region has also sent information on the disease out to local doctors so they can keep their eyes open for the symptoms and diagnose any cases as quickly as possible.

The health authority will inform the public as soon as the first confirmed case of the disease is discovered in the region, Percival said.

One common misconception is that West Nile virus is spread by crows. It's not, said Percival.

Instead, crows are more at risk from the disease than people are and, in fact, statistics indicate more than 60 per cent of crows who contract the disease will die, substantially more than the estimated 0.01 per cent mortality rate among humans.

And while the health authority does collect and test crows for the virus, they do not need the public to call whenever a dead crow is found, he added.

"We don't need people to bring in dead crows. We have a network of people who normally pick up dead animals who are trained to do so properly," he said. "So, if the public spots a dead crow, simply dispose of it."

However, if a person finds a group of dead crows in one spot, then call the local health office. In Burnaby, that number is 604- 918-7605.

Do not take injured crows to the Wildlife Rescue Association. It will not treat them for fear of spreading the virus to other animals.

The last warning is for horse owners, who are advised to inoculate their animals with the only known vaccine against West Nile.

Scientists are still working on a similar vaccination for people.

And, remember, don't overdo the Deet. Last year, Health Canada advised manufacturers of insect repellent that after December 2004 they would no longer be able to sell products that contain greater than 30 per cent Deet, the insect repellent invented by the U.S. military in the 1940s.

In addition, sunscreens combined with Deet will be banned after next year.