GOVERNMENT LAUNCHES 2006 WEST NILE VIRUS STRATEGY

Saskatchewan Health is again gearing up for West Nile Virus by continuing a strategy that includes surveillance, risk assessment, mosquito control and public awareness.

Public education and prevention measures are the most effective ways to reduce the incidence of West Nile Virus and are key components of the strategy.

"The risk of West Nile Virus is something Saskatchewan people must remain aware of, particularly in July and August," Saskatchewan's Chief Medical Health Officer Dr. Ross Findlater said. "Our focus continues to be reducing human risk of West Nile disease through mosquito control measures and public awareness. We want to again ensure Saskatchewan people know the steps they can take to protect themselves."

Protective measures include wearing light-coloured, long-sleeved shirts or jackets and long pants and socks; wearing insect repellent consistently; and decreasing time outside when mosquitoes are most active, particularly at dawn/early morning and in the evening.

The overall funding for the West Nile Virus Strategy is $1.45 million and as in previous years will be used to cover a cost-shared funding program to municipalities for mosquito control, along with surveillance and public awareness efforts.

The West Nile Virus dead corvid (crow family) pickup program will not be in effect for 2006. Dead corvids are no longer needed as an early indicator of West Nile virus in Saskatchewan or to determine geographic distribution of the virus. Mosquito sampling and testing, in addition to other factors (eg. temperature) will be used to guide the assessment of risk of West Nile virus exposure.

A study of West Nile virus prevalence in house sparrows will be conducted in southeastern Saskatchewan in 2006.

Entomologist Phil Curry will again serve as the provincial West Nile Virus co-ordinator for Saskatchewan. Curry will oversee surveillance of West Nile infection in birds and mosquitoes, and will co-ordinate mosquito control activities.

In 2005, there were 60 West Nile Virus cases and two deaths. A third death was attributed to complications from West Nile Virus. The numbers are higher than 2004 but down significantly from 2003 when 947 human cases were reported, including 63 cases of the most serious form of the disease known as West Nile Neurological Syndrome.

"We anticipate we will see West Nile Virus activity in the province this summer," Findlater said. "It is not easy to predict the level of activity since it depends on a number of factors, including spring and summer weather patterns, and mosquito timing and abundance. Our strategy continues to build on what we've learned over the past several years."

For more information on West Nile Virus, including how to safely dispose of dead birds, visit the Saskatchewan Health website at www.health.gov.sk.ca.

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For More Information, Contact:

Kimberly Kratzig Health Regina Phone: (306) 787-4083