NORTHERN HEALTH is again tracking potential WNv activity; asking for publics help in spotting dead corvids.

Northern Health, in cooperation with regional districts and various municipalities around the region, is again tracking for potential West Nile virus (WNv) activity in the North. NH has hired three WNv coordinators to help with mosquito and corvid surveillance, as well as public education, in the region.

Northern Health is asking for the public's help in reporting sightings of dead corvids (ravens, crows, magpies and jays). Residents are asked to report any dead corvids to their region's West Nile virus coordinator so that they can be sent for testing.

"Birds from the corvid family are more likely to die from West Nile virus and are a good indicator for the arrival of WNv," said Lucy Beck, Northern Health Regional Director, Public Health Protection. "We are interested specifically in dead corvids, and only those that have not begun decomposing or that died from obvious causes."

Dead corvids will be collected and tested through the summer until such time as West Nile Virus is confirmed to be in the North. To date, there has been no WNv activity originating in British Columbia and the North. If there are any confirmed cases of West Nile Virus originating in the North, Northern Health will alert the public.

To report a dead corvid, please contact the West Nile Virus coordinator in your area:
* Northern Interior, 250-565-2150 * Northeast, 250-719-6500 * Northwest, 250-638-2222

West Nile Virus is a disease that is passed from infected birds to people via mosquitoes. While the risk is low, West Nile virus can cause serious, and sometimes long-term, health effects.

About 1 in 5 people bitten by an infected mosquito will experience symptoms like:
* Fever
* Muscle weakness
* Stiff neck
* Confusion
* Severe headache
* Sudden sensitivity to light

In some cases, these symptoms can last for months, and in a small number of cases, more serious complications or even death can occur.

The following agencies' websites also have valuable West Nile virus information
* Northern Health: www.northernhealth.ca
* Ministry of Health: www.health.gov.bc.ca/pho/wnv.html
* BC HealthGuide: www.bchealthguide.org (search word: West Nile virus)
* BC Centre for Disease Control: www.bccdc.org/topic.php?item=110

For questions on West Nile Virus or any other illness, the public can also call the BC NurseLine at 1-866-215-4700, or TTY at 1-866-889-4700 for the deaf and hearing-impaired. Registered nurses are available to provide health information and advice at any time. Translation services
are available in 130 languages.