West Nile Virus Confirmed in Second Bird

Health officials confirmed today, Sept. 3, that an American crow found in Grand Pré has tested positive for West Nile virus.

This is the second bird in Nova Scotia to test positive for West Nile virus this year. On Saturday, Aug. 30, provincial officials announced that a blue jay found in Kingston had tested positive. The Atlantic Veterinary College in Prince Edward Island confirmed the positive results for both birds.

Last year four birds tested positive.

West Nile is spread to people through bites from mosquitoes that carry the virus. The human health risk associated with West Nile virus is very low.

Public Health officials are reminding Nova Scotians to reduce the risk of mosquito bites by eliminating mosquito breeding sites, wearing loose fitting clothing that covers as much skin as possible and by using insect repellant containing DEET according to the instructions on the bottle.

The public is urged to continue reporting dead crows, blue jays and ravens to local offices of the Department of Natural Resources. More than 650 birds have been tested for the virus so far this season.

Information on West Nile virus is available on the Department of Health Web site at www.gov.ns.ca/health or at Health Canada's Web site at www.hc-sc.gc.ca/english/westnile/index.html .