INVESTIGATION OF POSITIVE WEST NILE VIRUS TEST

An early positive lab result for West Nile Virus is being investigated in Saskatchewan. The infected individual was feeling ill in May, but has since recovered fully. If confirmed, it will be the first human case in Canada this year.

"We are making this announcement because it will take some time to confirm the infection and we feel it is better to get the information out as soon as possible," Saskatchewan's Chief Medical Health Officer Dr. Ross Findlater said.

It would be highly unusual to have an infection this early. Findlater said it is possible that this person was infected last year without knowing it, and became ill this spring with something else that caused symptoms similar to West Nile Virus. The West Nile Virus antibodies can stay within a person's blood stream for at least 500 days in some individuals.

There is also a small possibility that the person may have been bitten by a West Nile Virus infected mosquito that over-wintered and came out of hibernation in the warm days of late April.

It is also possible that this is not West Nile Virus. Health officials are waiting for confirmatory testing to be done at the national laboratory in Winnipeg. Results are not expected until next week.

"The national lab results will be able to tell us if this is indeed a case of West Nile Virus, but they may not be able to tell us absolutely when the person may have been infected," Findlater said.

The message for the general public is still to take precautions when outdoors when there are mosquitoes around. Health officials continue to stress that the time of highest risk for West Nile Virus starts in late June when the virus begins circulating in the mosquito population, and peaks in August.

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For More Information, Contact:

Mark Rathwell Health Regina Phone: (306) 787-4083